SB366: SB366 Controlled Substances and Pharmacists and Pharmacies; ivermectin as an over-the-counter medication in this state; provide

Ivermectin is an antiparasitic drug used to treat conditions like parasitic worms, head lice, and rosacea in humans, and heartworm and mite infestations in animals. Under current Georgia law it is classified as a dangerous drug, which generally means it can only be sold with a prescription. This bill would change that. It removes ivermectin from the dangerous drug definitions and exceptions in Georgia's controlled substances law (O.C.G.A. § 16-13-71). It then adds a new section to the pharmacy law (O.C.G.A. § 26-4-7.1) that defines ivermectin and over-the-counter medication, and states that ivermectin suitable for human use may be sold or purchased without a prescription or a pharmacist consultation. The bill does not include a specific effective date beyond standard enactment, and it repeals any conflicting laws.

• Removes ivermectin from Georgia's dangerous drug classification by repealing specific paragraphs in the controlled substances code (O.C.G.A. § 16-13-71).
• Adds a new pharmacy law section (O.C.G.A. § 26-4-7.1) defining ivermectin and over-the-counter medication.
• Allows human-use ivermectin to be sold or purchased in Georgia without a prescription or consultation with a pharmacist or other healthcare professional.
• Repeals any other Georgia laws that conflict with these changes.

Georgia pharmacies and retailers that sell medications, pharmacists, consumers seeking to buy ivermectin for conditions like parasitic worms, head lice, or rosacea, and state regulators overseeing controlled substances and pharmacy practice.

If enacted, Georgians could buy human-use ivermectin directly off the shelf without seeing a doctor or pharmacist first, changing how the drug is accessed and removing the current prescription requirement tied to its dangerous drug status.

• Section 1 repeals paragraph (506.8) of subsection (b) and paragraph (12.1) of subsection (c) of O.C.G.A. § 16-13-71, removing ivermectin from the dangerous drug definitions and exceptions.
• Section 2 adds new Code Section 26-4-7.1, defining 'ivermectin' by its uses in both veterinary and human medicine and defining 'over-the-counter medication' as one sellable without prescription or consultation.
• Section 2 states that ivermectin suitable for human use may be sold or purchased as an over-the-counter medication in Georgia, overriding conflicting law.
• Section 3 repeals all laws and parts of laws in conflict with the Act.

1. 2025-03-28Senate Read and Referred (Senate)
2. 2025-03-27Senate Hopper (Senate)

• Colton Moore (R, SD-053)Primary sponsor
• Greg Dolezal (R, SD-027)
• Matt Brass (R, SD-006)
• Timothy Bearden (R, SD-030)
• Sam Watson (R, SD-011)
• Russ Goodman (R, SD-008)
• Carden Summers (R, SD-013)
• Drew Echols (R, SD-049)
• Lee Anderson (R, SD-024)
• Brandon Beach (R, SD-021)
• Blake Tillery (R, SD-019)
• Chuck Payne (R, SD-054)
• Jason Anavitarte (R, SD-031)
• Clint Dixon (R, SD-045)

• ivermectin
• over-the-counter medication
• pharmacy regulation
• controlled substances
• drug access