Governor Sanders signed Act 396 into law in Arkansas, allowing the purchase of ivermectin without a prescription for human use. However, pharmacists are concerned about potential conflicts with federal law, as the FDA has not approved ivermectin for use in treating COVID-19 or other ailments.

The new law will make ivermectin available without a prescription, preventing individuals from resorting to using the veterinary version of the drug, which can lead to accidental overdoses. Arkansas pharmacists may be hesitant to sell ivermectin over the counter due to the conflict with federal law, as the FDA has only approved the drug for human use with a prescription.

Pharmacists are also concerned about the lack of proper labeling for over-the-counter ivermectin in Arkansas. The drug is typically distributed as a prescription product, and without FDA-approved labeling, there may be issues with ensuring safe and effective usage. The law is set to go into effect in June, and it remains to be seen if it will lead to a decrease in ivermectin overdoses.