Missouri Legislature Passes Bill Barring Pharmacists From Questioning Doctors Who Prescribe Ivermectin and Hydroxychloroquine

Missouri lawmakers passed legislation last week that would prevent state licensing boards from disciplining physicians who prescribe ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine.

The Missouri legislature passed HB 2149 with a vote of 130-4.

The bill now heads to the governor’s desk for his consideration.

Specifically, “a pharmacist shall not contact the prescribing physician or the patient to dispute the efficacy of ivermectin or hydroxychloroquine sulfate tablets for human use…” unless the doctor or patient specifically asks. pic.twitter.com/Ez7xPtFJGU

— Lindsey Simmons (@LynzforCongress) May 12, 2022

https://twitter.com/Real_RobN/status/1526659356313260033

HB 2149 states:

The act of lawfully dispensing, prescribing, administering, or otherwise distributing ivermectin tablets or hydroxychloroquine sulfate tablets for human use shall not be grounds for denial, suspension, revocation, or other disciplinary action by the board.

The board shall not deny, revoke, or suspend, or otherwise take any disciplinary action against, a certificate of registration or authority, permit, or license required by this chapter for any person due to the lawful dispensing, distributing, or selling of ivermectin tablets or hydroxychloroquine sulfate tablets for human use in accordance with prescriber directions. A pharmacist shall not contact the prescribing physician or the patient to dispute the efficacy of ivermectin tablets or hydroxychloroquine sulfate tablets for human use unless the physician or patient inquires of the pharmacist about the efficacy of ivermectin tablets or hydroxychloroquine sulfate tablets

The Kansas City Star reported:

According to its language, the bill would prevent state medical licensing boards from punishing or taking away the medical licenses of doctors who “lawfully” prescribe the two drugs. And it prevents pharmacists from contacting a doctor or patient “to dispute the efficacy of ivermectin tablets or hydroxychloroquine sulfate tablets for human use” unless the doctor or patient asks about the drugs’ effectiveness.

Sen. Rick Brattin, a Harrisonville Republican, told The Star Thursday he added the amendment after he spoke with doctors who worried they would lose their medical licenses for prescribing the drugs. Brattin, who said he previously bought ivermectin for COVID-19 but has never taken it, described the drug as “politicized.”

“Unfortunately, because of the politicization of those two drugs, [doctors are] being targeted,” he said. “I wanted to protect them from that.”