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Committee advances bill to preserve pharmacist syringe access, sponsors say it prevents HIV and hepatitis spread
Summary
AB 309 was advanced by the Assembly Appropriations Committee to remove a sunset and preserve pharmacists' authority to provide syringes without a prescription; sponsors and public-health groups testified it reduces disease transmission and imposes no state cost, while no organized opposition registered at the hearing.
The California State Assembly Appropriations Committee on April 23 advanced AB 309, a bill that would remove a sunset and preserve pharmacists—s authority to provide sterile syringes without a prescription. Backers said maintaining pharmacy syringe access is a proven public-health tool to prevent HIV and viral hepatitis.
Why it matters: Supporters told the committee that HIV diagnoses reversed a long-decline in 2021 and 2022 and that greater access to sterile syringes reduces disease transmission without increasing drug use. Witnesses said syringe access also connects people to testing and treatment, and that the bill imposes no new direct state…
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