Purpose of the Bill

The bill aims to make the drugs ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine available for purchase without a prescription in Minnesota.

Main Provisions

• Over-the-Counter Availability: The bill mandates that all registered pharmacies and licensed pharmacists in Minnesota offer ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine as over-the-counter (OTC) drugs. This means that these drugs could be sold directly to consumers without the need for a prescription.

• Definition Addition: It introduces a new definition for “over-the-counter drug” within the Minnesota Statutes. According to the bill, an OTC drug is one that can be legally sold at retail without needing a prescription or a consultation with a healthcare professional.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• This bill represents a shift from the current requirement, where ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine generally require a prescription for dispensing. If enacted, this change would give consumers direct access to these drugs, bypassing the existing regulatory framework that necessitates physician oversight for their distribution.

Relevant Terms

ivermectin, hydroxychloroquine, over-the-counter drug, pharmacies, prescription, Minnesota Statutes, healthcare professional, human use.