HB529 • 2026

Albendazole and mebendazole; authorize pharmacists to dispense without a prescription.

AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE PHARMACISTS TO DISPENSE ALBENDAZOLE AND MEBENDAZOLE WITHOUT REQUIRING A PRESCRIPTION FROM A LICENSED HEALTH CARE PRACTITIONER; TO PROVIDE IMMUNITY FOR PHARMACISTS DISPENSING ALBENDAZOLE AND MEBENDAZOLE IN A REASONABLY PRUDENT MANNER IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS ACT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

Did Not Pass

The latest official action shows that this bill did not move forward in that session.

Sponsor: Arnold
Last action: 2026-02-03
Official status: Dead
Effective date: July 1, 20

Plain English Breakdown

The official source does not provide specific details about the rules that will be set by the State Board of Pharmacy.

Allowing Pharmacists to Give Out Certain Medicines Without a Prescription

This bill allows pharmacists to give out albendazole and mebendazole without needing a prescription from a doctor, as long as they follow rules set by the State Board of Pharmacy.

What This Bill Does

Pharmacists can now give out albendazole and mebendazole to people who don't have a prescription from a doctor.
The State Board of Pharmacy will make rules about how pharmacists should handle these medicines.
If a pharmacist follows the rules carefully, they won't get in trouble if something goes wrong.

Who It Names or Affects

Pharmacists who give out albendazole and mebendazole
People who might need these medicines

Terms To Know

State Board of Pharmacy: The group that makes rules about how pharmacies should work in the state.
Reasonably prudent manner: Doing something carefully and responsibly, following good judgment.

Limits and Unknowns

This bill did not pass during its session.
The rules for how pharmacists should act are not yet made.

Bill History

2026-02-03 Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System
02/03 (H) Died In Committee
2026-01-12 Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System
01/12 (H) Referred To Public Health and Human Services

Official Summary Text

Albendazole and mebendazole; authorize pharmacists to dispense without a prescription.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

H. B. No. 529 *HR43/R1609* ~ OFFICIAL ~ G1/2
26/HR43/R1609
PAGE 1 (RF\KP)

To: Public Health and Human
Services
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION 2026

By: Representative Arnold

HOUSE BILL NO. 529

AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE PHARMACISTS TO DISPENSE ALBENDAZOLE AND 1
MEBENDAZOLE WITHOUT REQUIRING A PRESCRIPTION FROM A LICENSED 2
HEALTH CARE PRACTITIONER; TO PROVIDE IMMUNITY FOR PHARMACISTS 3
DISPENSING ALBENDAZOLE AND MEBENDAZOLE IN A REASONABLY PRUDENT 4
MANNER IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS ACT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. 5
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI: 6
SECTION 1. (1) A pharmacist may dispense albendazole or 7
mebendazole to a person, without requiring a prescription from a 8
licensed health care practitioner, in accordance with any written 9
standardized procedures or protocols issued by the State Board of 10
Pharmacy, including, if required, providing the person with 11
instructions on the proper use of albendazole or mebendazole. 12
(2) A pharmacist acting in a reasonably prudent manner is 13
not criminally or civilly liable or subject to professional 14
disciplinary action for dispensing albendazole or mebendazole in 15
accordance with this section. 16
(3) The State Board of Pharmacy may adopt the rules 17
necessary to implement this section. 18
H. B. No. 529 *HR43/R1609* ~ OFFICIAL ~
26/HR43/R1609
PAGE 2 (RF\KP)
ST: Albendazole and mebendazole; authorize
pharmacists to dispense without a prescription.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from 19
and after July 1, 2026. 20