Rating: +1

Bill Summary:
Senate Bill 1211 (2025) authorizes the sale and purchase of ivermectin for human use as an over-the-counter (OTC) medication in the state of Idaho. The bill amends Chapter 1, Title 37 of Idaho Code by adding a new section—Section 37-135—which expressly states that ivermectin may be sold and purchased without a prescription or consultation with a healthcare professional. It also defines “over-the-counter medication” as any drug that may be legally sold and purchased without a prescription. An emergency clause is included, making the act effective immediately upon passage.

Reason for Rating:
S1211 directly advances medical freedom and individual autonomy, both of which are foundational principles in the Idaho Republican Party Platform (Article I, Section 1G; Article XIII, Section 2). By removing prescription requirements, the bill empowers citizens to make their own health decisions without interference from state-licensed medical gatekeepers. It also signals Idaho’s willingness to assert state authority in defiance of unnecessary or politically driven federal health regulations. In the wake of federal resistance to ivermectin during the COVID-19 pandemic, this legislation affirms Idaho’s stance against bureaucratic control and affirms the right of informed adults to access safe, affordable treatments on their own terms. It is a clear, values-aligned defense of liberty in health care, warranting a positive rating.