Image Credit: State Senator Richard Briggs / Facebook & Canva
Tennessee Conservative News [By Olivia Lupia] –
In a recent article which disparaged the passage of the 2022 Tennessee law permitting over the counter (OTC) access to ivermectin, Republican State Senator Richard Briggs said he plans to introduce legislation in 2027 to limit the sale of the drug as he believes allowing Tennesseans to have this more holistic choice in their healthcare options has created a “dangerous” market.
Often labeled as “controversial” by mainstream medical and media outlets, ivermectin gained popularity during the covid era as a more natural preventative and remedy, though the drug has long been effectively used in many other therapeutic capacities including some promising potential in cancer treatment.
Through groundbreaking legislation, Tennessee paved the way in creating access to ivermectin without a prescription, with several other states later following suit.
The piece from KFF Health News, which labels itself “the independent source for health policy research, polling, and news,” said the Tennessee law’s passage “blindsided state medical officials and handed a victory to medical groups that spread covid misinformation”
It further claims the popularity of ivermectin surged during covid because of “fringe doctors and anti-vaccine activists” and cites several physicians who believe the easy accessibility of the drug will “lure people away from proven treatments.”
“It’s going back to 19th-century quack science,” UCLA internal medicine physician John Mafi said about off-label use of ivermectin. “It is alarming that I’m seeing this really unproven therapy being touted to so many potentially vulnerable Americans.”
Shant Garabedian, a doctor on Tennessee’s Board of Osteopathic Examination, said ivermectin is “an unproved, potentially unsafe drug,” though there has been plenty of research standing contrary to that statement, including from the FDA which has declared it to be generally safe. In fact, the drug has won a Nobel Prize for its proven efficacy against certain parasites and Malaria.
But apparently, at least one elected member of Tennessee’s General Assembly seems to agree with the anti-ivermectin sentiments espoused in the article. Sen. Richard Briggs, who was the only Republican to vote against the 2022 bill, said he is worried that lawmakers have created a “dangerous” ivermectin market filled with “misleading advertising” about what the drug can actually accomplish.
Instead of trusting individuals in Tennessee to properly research and discuss proper types, dosage amounts, or functions of ivermectin with their healthcare providers, Briggs believes the state government should instead regulate access and plans to introduce legislation to “rein in the sale” of the drug when lawmakers reconvene for the 2027 session.
“But it may be a hard sell, because with the anti-vaxxers and some of these other folks,” Briggs said. “We don’t base a lot of things that we do on science, data, or facts. To a lot of folks in the legislature, the facts are just an inconvenience.”
Besides voting against the ivermectin bill, Briggs has a lengthy track record of standing against medical freedom for Tennesseans including:
- Sponsoring legislation to sneak vaccinations without parental consent
- Voting against requiring parental consent for vaccinations
- Voting to shield pesticide makers from legal liability
- Voting against granting parents the right to access all their child’s health treatment records
- Consistently working to undermine or dismantle legal protections for the unborn
- Sponsoring legislation codifying a “right” to indiscriminately create and discard human embryos through fertility treatments and technology like IFV with no regulation.
Those interested in health and medical freedom may wish to know that Briggs, who has been recognized as one of the Senate’s Top 5 RINOs in every edition of RINO Report since 2022, does have a primary opponent for the Aug. 6 election.
Known conservative Kent Morrell currently serves on the Republican State Executive Committee (District 7) and has done extensive work in advocacy for parental rights and medical freedom. He further believes in limiting the role of government, reducing the influence of special interest lobbyists, and “restoring liberty to the people of Tennessee.”
To learn more, visit Morrell’s official campaign website: https://www.sendkent.com/. Early voting begins July 17.
Olivia Lupia is a political refugee from Colorado who now calls Tennessee home. A proud follower of Christ, she views all political happenings through a Biblical lens and aims to utilize her knowledge and experience to educate and equip others. Olivia is an outspoken conservative who has run for local office, managed campaigns, and been highly involved with state & local GOPs, state legislatures, and other grassroots organizations and movements. Olivia can be reached at olivia@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
