In what some doctors called a surprising bit of legislation, a drug called Ivermectin will be available over-the-counter in Texas beginning this week.
The drug was a subject of much controversy during the pandemic, when some doctors said it could be used to reduce the effects of the Covid virus, but many mainstream doctors vehemently disagreed, saying there is no scientific evidence that Ivermectin is safe and effective in treatment of the virus.
In the past the drug has been used as a de-wormer for horses and other livestock, and has been widely available for use in treating animals.
It's been a prescription-only drug for many years, despite being one of most harmless drug around, some doctors have said.
The US government even started an anti-Ivermectin campaign during the pandemic, with the Food and Drug Administration running a short but effective social media campaign saing, “You are not a horse. You are not a cow. Serious y’all. Stop It.” That campaign resulted in a lawsuit filed in 2022 by Houston's Dr. Mary Talley Bowden, Dr. Paul Marik and Dr. Rober Apter against the FDA, the US Department of Health and Human Services and others.
That lawsuit was settled out of court last year.
Earlier this year, the Texas Legislature voted to pass a bill allowing the drug to be sold off the shelf at retail stores beginning December 4th.
Some doctors have said the much-honored anti-parasite drug may have great potential for use against viral infections and other health related situations.