Arkansas Legalizes OTC Ivermectin: What Will Pharmacies Do Next?

Update as of April 2026: Ivermectin is Now Available OTC in Arkansas

Since this article was originally published, things have changed.

Ivermectin is now being sold over the counter in Arkansas. A small but growing number of Independent pharmacies are leading the way by implementing proper labeling and dispensing guidelines under the new law.

🏪 Pharmacies Currently Offering OTC Ivermectin

The following pharmacies are among those currently offering ivermectin without a prescription:

• Coleman Pharmacy – Alma

• Mission Filled Drug Company – Pearcy

• Hot Spring Pharmacy – Hot Springs

• Cornerstone Pharmacy at Chenal – Little Rock

• Drug Emporium Pharmacy – Little Rock

One of the early adopters, Cornerstone Pharmacy at Chenal, recently shared:

“We’ve been waiting almost a year, and it’s finally here. Ivermectin capsules are available to purchase OTC here at Cornerstone Pharmacy on Chenal. Just because something’s available doesn’t mean you should navigate that alone. Our pharmacists are here to offer guidance, answer questions, and help make confident choices for your health.”

📣Help Us Keep This List Updated

If you are aware of a local independent pharmacy in Arkansas currently offering ivermectin over the counter, please leave a comment below so we can keep this list accurate and up to date. Availability is still evolving, and community feedback helps ensure patients have the most current information.

⚠️What About Walmart, Walgreens, or CVS?

At this time, it is unlikely that large chain pharmacies will begin offering OTC ivermectin anytime soon. Most participation is currently coming from independent pharmacies, which have more flexibility to implement the new law.

💡My Local Independent Pharmacy Doesn't Carry It, What Can I Do?

If your local independent pharmacy is not yet offering ivermectin OTC, you can encourage them to reach out to State Senator Justin Boyd, 479-262-2156 or State Senator Alan Clark, 501-844-6800, to explore this option. They can help pharmacies understand how to properly implement dispensing and labeling requirements to sell Ivermectin OTC in Arkansas.

To learn more about Ivermectin's history, uses, and OTC Access in Arkansas, you can read the original blog post here.

Update as of July 2025

You may recall that on March 25, Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed Senate Bill 189 into law, which became Act 396, legalizing the sale of ivermectin over the counter (OTC) in the state. The law takes effect 90 days after the Arkansas General Assembly adjourned, which was on May 5, 2025. That means ivermectin could be legally sold OTC in Arkansas starting August 3, 2025.

But there’s a complication.

The FDA has not approved ivermectin for OTC use in humans. Federal law requires drug manufacturers to have FDA-approved labeling for how a product is used, and the FDA has only approved ivermectin for humans with a prescription. The agency does not recognize or enforce state laws like Act 396 when it comes to labeling or classification.

This creates a legal gray area:

• Pharmacists in Arkansas are allowed under state law to sell ivermectin without a prescription.

• But if the product’s label states “Rx only” or lacks FDA-approved OTC instructions, selling it OTC may go against federal regulations.

❓So how will pharmacies respond?

That’s the big question. Some pharmacists may choose to offer ivermectin OTC in accordance with the new state law. Others may decline, citing the lack of FDA approval and concerns about liability or unclear usage instructions.

Bottom line: Come August 3, we’ll find out if Arkansas pharmacies are ready to dispense ivermectin without a prescription—or if this law will remain more symbolic than practical.