In Arkansas, four prisoners held at the Washington County Jail have filed a lawsuit alleging they were unknowingly prescribed the drug ivermectin as a form of medical experimentation. Ivermectin is an antiparasitic widely used as a horse dewormer. It’s been touted in right-wing media as a miracle cure to COVID-19, even though there’s no experimental data to back the claim.
The ACLU of Arkansas condemned the actions of Washington County Sheriff Tim Helder and a jail physician, writing, “No one — including incarcerated individuals — should be deceived and subject to medical experimentation. Sheriff Helder has a responsibility to provide food, shelter, and safe, appropriate care to incarcerated individuals.”