Hypodermic needles and syringes.

Existing law prohibits, except as specified, the sale of a hypodermic needle or syringe at retail except upon the prescription of a physician, dentist, veterinarian, podiatrist, or naturopathic doctor. This bill would repeal that provision. Existing law, until January 1, 2021, authorizes a physician or pharmacist to, without a prescription or permit, furnish hypodermic needles and syringes for human use to a person 18 years of age or older, and authorizes a person 18 years of age or older to, without a prescription or license, obtain hypodermic needles and syringes solely for personal use from a physician or pharmacist, as a public health measure, as specified. This bill would extend this authority until January 1, 2026, and would make other conforming changes. Existing law makes it a misdemeanor for a person to obtain a hypodermic needle or hypodermic syringe by a false or fraudulent representation or design or by a forged or fictitious name. Existing law also makes it a misdemeanor for a person who has obtained a hypodermic needle or hypodermic syringe from any person to whom a permit has been issued to use, or permit or cause, directly or indirectly, the hypodermic needle or hypodermic syringe to be used for any purpose other than that for which it was obtained. This bill would repeal those provisions and make other conforming changes. Existing law establishes the Disease Prevention Demonstration Project, a collaboration between pharmacies and local and state health officials for the purpose of evaluating the long-term desirability of allowing licensed pharmacists to furnish or sell nonprescription hypodermic needles or hypodermic syringes to prevent the spread of bloodborne pathogens. This bill would repeal those provisions.