RESOLUTION NO. _____________

BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, COUNTY OF SAN MATEO, STATE OF CALIFORNIA

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RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING LICENSED PHARMACISTS TO SELL OR FURNISH 10 OR FEWER HYPODERMIC NEEDLES OR SYRINGES TO A PERSON FOR USE WITHOUT A PRESCRIPTION IF THE PHARMACY IS IN THE DISEASE PREVENTION DEMONSTRATION PROJECT

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RESOLVED, by the Board of Supervisors of the County of San Mateo, State of California, that

 

WHEREAS, this Board established a Needle Exchange Task Force in the Fall of 2001 to respond to the dual epidemics of HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis C related to injection drug use in the County; and

 

WHEREAS, the Board has made harm reduction—a public health model that aims to protect drug users and the community from drug-related harm—an operating principle as a way to confront these dual epidemics; and

 

WHEREAS, the sharing of used hypodermic needles and syringes spreads blood-borne pathogens, including HIV and Hepatitis C; and

 

WHEREAS, Business and Professions Code §121285 creates a statewide Disease Prevention Demonstration Project, which will be 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 syringes to prevent the spread of blood-borne pathogens, including HIV and Hepatitis C; and

 

WHEREAS, this Board desires that San Mateo County participate in the Disease Prevention Project, as it aligns with the County’s harm reduction principle; and

 

WHEREAS, newly enacted Business and Professions Code §4145 provides that the County may, until December 31, 2010, authorize licensed pharmacists to sell or furnish 10 or fewer hypodermic needles or syringes to a person for use without a prescription if the pharmacy is registered with our County in the Disease Prevention Demonstration Project pursuant to Chapter 13.5 of Part 4 of Division 105 of the Health and Safety Code and the pharmacy complies with the provisions of that chapter; and

 

WHEREAS, This Board desires to have licensed pharmacists participate in this program in order to help prevent the spread of blood-borne pathogens, including HIV and Hepatitis C; and

 

NOW THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY DETERMINED AND ORDERED THAT: within the County of San Mateo any licensed pharmacist is authorized to sell or furnish 10 or fewer hypodermic needles or syringes to a person for use without a prescription if the pharmacy is registered with the County of San Mateo in the Disease Prevention Demonstration Project.

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