NACOGDOCHES, Texas — The Texas House passed a bill Wednesday that would allow pharmacists to dispense ivermectin without a prescription from a healthcare provider.

State Rep. Joanne Shofner, R-Nacogdoches, authored House Bill 25 that would make the commissioner of the Texas Department of State Health Services issue a statewide order to authorize a licensed pharmacist to dispense ivermectin without a health care practitioner's prescription.

On Wednesday, the House approved HB 25 with a preliminary vote of 88-51. The House Public Health Committee passed the bill through its membership on Monday, and it was passed by the Texas House on Wednesday.

The bill now needs a vote in the Senate before it heads to the governor's desk.

According to the text of the bill, the order would include

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