H4042 would allow adults aged 18 and older to purchase ivermectin approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and intended for human use from a pharmacy without a prescription. Pharmacists would be required to provide health and safety information, screen for contraindications and drug interactions, and could refuse to dispense the medication when they believe it could endanger the patient.
The South Carolina State House of Representatives passed H4042 on May 5, 2026 by a vote of 100 to 9. We have assigned pluses to the ayes because this bill advances medical freedom. Although the measure still relies upon approval from the FDA—an unconstitutional federal agency exercising powers not delegated by Article I, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution—it reduces government interference in personal healthcare decisions. Individuals should be free to evaluate available treatments and make informed decisions about their own bodies. The right to bodily autonomy is essential to liberty, and H4042 is a step toward reestablishing that principle.
