Hypodermic needles and syringes.

Assembly Member Zbur's legislation removes the January 1, 2026 sunset date from California's pharmacy law provisions allowing pharmacists and physicians to furnish hypodermic needles and syringes without a prescription to adults for personal use. The measure makes permanent these existing public health provisions, which were established to prevent transmission of HIV, viral hepatitis, and other bloodborne diseases.

The bill maintains current requirements for pharmacies that provide nonprescription syringes, including secure storage protocols and safe disposal options. Pharmacies must continue offering at least one disposal method: an on-site collection program, mail-back containers, or approved sharps disposal containers. The law also preserves mandates for pharmacies to provide written information or verbal counseling about accessing drug treatment, HIV and hepatitis C testing and treatment, and proper sharps disposal.

Complementary amendments to the Health and Safety Code explicitly exempt from criminal penalties the possession of properly containerized hypodermic needles and syringes intended for safe disposal, as well as those held solely for personal use. The measure retains existing provisions allowing veterinarians and other licensed professionals to furnish needles and syringes for animal care without a prescription.