Pharmacy Syringe Sales

Non-prescription sales of syringes (NPSS) is a powerful intervention for prevention of blood borne infections (namely HIV, Hepatitis B and C) among injection drug users and their sexual partners.

California law (AB1743) permits licensed pharmacies and physicians throughout the State to sell or furnish an unlimited number of syringes without a prescription to customers over the age of 18, and allows adults to purchase and possess syringes for personal use when acquired from an authorized source. The law specifies that pharmacists, physicians and syringe exchange programs are authorized sources of nonprescription syringes for disease prevention purposes.

AB1743 removes the prior limit of 30 that had been placed on nonprescription syringe provision by pharmacies and physicians and removes the 30 syringe limit that had been place on individual purchase and possession of nonprescription syringes.

AB1743 requires the authorized NPSS sources to "counsel consumers on safe disposal" of syringes.

Non-Prescription Syringe Sales in California Fact Sheets & Resources

• Legislation and Requirements
• Patient Information Sheet
• State Office of AIDS Resources & Information for Pharmacists
• Syringe Access information from the CDPH/Office of AIDS

Related Links

• Care Services for People with HIV and Their Families
• HIV Testing
• Prevent HIV
• Substance Abuse and Treatment
• Substance Abuse and Treatment Care Card
• Alcohol and Other Drugs Treatment and Referral
• Sharps Waste Disposal Resources
  • Contra Costa County Medical Waste Program
  • CDPH Medical Waste Management Program

Latest News

The California Department of Public Health, Office of AIDS is co-sponsoring a free webinar that clarifies current and new law and focuses on the important role pharmacists can play in preventing HIV and viral hepatitis on Monday, January 12, 2015 at 6:30 p.m. Pharmacists can register for the webinar and receive free CPE credits.

Additional materials and resources are available on the CDPH's Office of AIDS website.

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