Assembly Passes Measure Allowing Pharmacists To Dispense Syringes in Effort To Fight HIV, Hepatitis
On Thursday, the Assembly advanced a measure (AB 1743) that would grant pharmacists the authority to sell an unlimited number of sterile syringes without requiring patients to obtain a prescription from their physician. The measure is aimed at reducing the spread of blood-borne illnesses, such as HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C. Current California rules, which expire at the end of this year, allow pharmacists to sell 30 needles at a time without requiring a prescription.
- "Assembly Backs Permanently Allowing Over-the-Counter Sale of Syringes" (Mason, "PolitiCal," Los Angeles Times, 4/10).
- "Bill Would Make Pharmacy Syringe Sales Permanent" (Nirappil, AP/Sacramento Bee, 4/10).