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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to a statewide order issued by the commissioner of state |
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health services authorizing a pharmacist to dispense ivermectin. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter D, Chapter 1001, Health and Safety |
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Code, is amended by adding Section 1001.090 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 1001.090. STATEWIDE ORDER AUTHORIZING DISPENSING OF |
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IVERMECTIN. (a) The commissioner shall issue a statewide order |
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authorizing a licensed pharmacist to dispense ivermectin without a |
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health care practitioner's prescription order notwithstanding any |
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other law. |
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(b) The statewide order must include written, standardized |
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procedures or protocols for a pharmacist to follow when dispensing |
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ivermectin and require the pharmacist to provide each patient with |
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instructions on the proper use of ivermectin. |
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(c) Notwithstanding any other law, a pharmacist may |
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dispense ivermectin in accordance with the statewide order. |
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(d) Notwithstanding any other law, a pharmacist acting in a |
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reasonably prudent manner is not criminally or civilly liable or |
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subject to professional disciplinary action for dispensing |
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ivermectin in accordance with the statewide order. |
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(e) A pharmacist dispensing ivermectin in accordance with |
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the statewide order shall provide an annual written report in the |
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form and manner the department prescribes on the number of doses of |
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ivermectin the pharmacist dispensed in accordance with the |
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statewide order in the preceding calendar year. |
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(f) The executive commissioner and the Texas State Board of |
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Pharmacy may adopt the rules necessary to implement this section. |
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(g) Notwithstanding any other law, the commissioner's |
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issuance of a statewide order under Subsection (a) may not be the |
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basis for criminal or civil liability against the commissioner or |
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disciplinary action by a licensing entity in this state that issues |
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a license to the commissioner. |
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SECTION 2. As soon as practicable after the effective date |
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of this Act, the commissioner of state health services shall issue a |
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statewide order in accordance with Section 1001.090, Health and |
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Safety Code, as added by this Act. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |