Georgia CommonsHouse · Introduced · 2025-2026 Regular Session
HB 1089: Controlled substances; ivermectin as an over-the-counter medication; provide
Last action March 6, 2026 · House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute
A House committee substitute for HB 1089 would let Georgia pharmacists sell FDA-approved ivermectin in its original packaging without a prescription, expanding an existing exception for topical lotion.
The summaries below were written by an AI model (claude-sonnet-5) from the text of the bill and are not part of it. Quote the text, not the summary. The stored text is the Comm Sub version, the latest the General Assembly's website lists.
In plain language
Under current Georgia law, ivermectin is classified as a dangerous drug (O.C.G.A. § 16-13-71), meaning it generally requires a prescription, except for a narrow exception for topical lotion with 0.5 percent strength or less. This bill adds a second exception. It would allow pharmacists to distribute ivermectin over the counter as long as it is in its original, unopened container, comes in a finished dosage form (such as a pill or tablet ready to use), has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and is labeled according to FDA rules. The State Board of Pharmacy would set the specific rules for how pharmacists carry this out. The bill repeals any conflicting laws but does not state a specific future effective date beyond standard practice.
What the bill does
- Adds a new exception to Georgia's dangerous drug law (O.C.G.A. § 16-13-71) allowing pharmacists to sell ivermectin without a prescription.
- Requires that over-the-counter ivermectin be in its original container and in a finished dosage form, not repackaged or altered by the pharmacist.
- Requires the ivermectin product to be FDA-approved and labeled in compliance with FDA rules before it can be sold this way.
- Directs the State Board of Pharmacy to set the specific rules pharmacists must follow when distributing ivermectin under this new exception.
- Keeps the existing exception for topical lotion containing 0.5 percent or less ivermectin, now labeled as a separate subpart of the same provision.
Who it affects
Georgia pharmacists, who could sell certain ivermectin products without a doctor's prescription; the State Board of Pharmacy, which must write rules for this new category; and Georgia consumers who want to buy FDA-approved ivermectin without first seeing a doctor.
Why it matters
Ivermectin, best known as an antiparasitic drug, drew attention during the COVID-19 pandemic for off-label use. This bill would make certain FDA-approved, prepackaged ivermectin products available directly from pharmacists, changing how easily Georgians can obtain the drug without a doctor's visit.
Key provisions
- Section 1 amends paragraph (12.1) of subsection (c) of O.C.G.A. § 16-13-71 to restructure the ivermectin exception into two parts, labeled (A) and (B).
- Part (A) keeps the current exception for ivermectin used in a topical lotion at 0.5 percent strength or less.
- Part (B) adds a new exception for ivermectin distributed by a pharmacist under State Board of Pharmacy rules, provided it is in its original, FDA-approved, finished dosage container.
- Section 2 repeals any state laws that conflict with these changes.
From the bill
“When distributed by a pharmacist as provided by the State Board of Pharmacy, as a product in finished dosage formulation in its original container that has been approved by and labeled in compliance with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA);”
Discussed in meetings (6)
The House and Senate meetings that took this bill up, from their machine transcripts. Each account was written by Georgia Commons with AI and is not part of the record; the video is what was said.
House Health Committee, February 9, 2026
From 1:39:00 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel
Summary by Georgia Commons: The sponsor said the bill would make human-formulated ivermectin available in pharmacies without a prescription, offering an alternative to people buying animal formulations at farm supply stores. The sponsor described ivermectin as an antiparasitic medication with a strong safety record, cited research into other uses, and said Tennessee, Idaho, Utah and Arkansas already allow access without a prescription. The sponsor acknowledged that the FDA has not approved ivermectin to treat COVID-19 and identified pregnancy, breastfeeding, Coumadin use and transplant medications as contraindications. Asked about warning labels, the sponsor said warnings probably would be included and assumed some already exist. Another member repeatedly asked whether the FDA currently requires a prescription for human ivermectin. The sponsor initially discussed animal-product purchases, then denied that a prescription was required while reiterating the proposal to allow over-the-counter human formulations. The exchange did not resolve that question. This was a hearing only, no vote was taken, and the chair said more would be heard later.
House Health Committee, March 5, 2026
From 0:00:20 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel
Summary by Georgia Commons: The sponsor said HB 1089 would allow people to buy ivermectin without a prescription, while keeping it behind the pharmacy counter. The sponsor described it as an antiparasitic medicine, called it safe, and identified pregnancy, breastfeeding, Coumadin use and solid-organ transplants as contraindications. One committee member questioned whether removing the prescription requirement would conflict with FDA rules and asked what problem the bill would solve. The sponsor cited Tennessee, Idaho, Utah and Arkansas as states allowing purchases without prescriptions, acknowledged that much of the information received was anecdotal, and expressed interest in more research. Another member asked about safeguards. The sponsor said patients would speak with a pharmacist and sign a register, giving pharmacists an opportunity to counsel them. The committee approved a do-pass recommendation after voice and hand votes. Opposition was recorded, but a complete vote count was not stated. Members briefly clarified the substitute's document number afterward.
House Rules Committee, March 6, 2026
From 0:36:54 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel · Confirmed by the 2026 House Journal, p. 2325
Summary by Georgia Commons: The sponsor said HB 1089 would allow ivermectin sales without a prescription, with the medicine kept behind the pharmacy counter and a pharmacist counseling the customer, similar to Sudafed. There were no questions or recorded decisions.
House Rules Committee, March 6, 2026
From 0:08:22 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel · Confirmed by the 2026 House Journal, p. 2325
Summary by Georgia Commons: A motion to place HB 1089 on the supplemental calendar received a second. The chair asked for opposition and announced that the bill was added without objection. No discussion of its contents occurred.
Status timeline
- House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute (House)
- House Second Readers (House)
- House First Readers (House)
- House Hopper (House)
Sponsors
- Karen Mathiak (R, HD-82)
- David Clark (R, HD-100)
- Leesa Hagan (R, HD-156)
- Charlice Byrd (R, HD-20)
- Noelle Kahaian (R, HD-81)
Topics
- ivermectin
- pharmacy regulation
- controlled substances
- over-the-counter drugs
- dangerous drugs law