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SB 1159: Implementation of Los Angeles County's Disease Prevention Demonstration Project.
Answers to frequently asked questions:
Q: What is the Disease Prevention Demonatration Project (DPDP)? A: In September 2004, a new law was passed, SB 1159, which created the DPDP. The DPDP allows people 18 years and older to buy up to 10 syringes per visit,without a prescription, from a participating pharmacy. The purpose of the project is to help prevent blood-borne diseases such as HIV and hepatitis C among people who use syringes/share injecting equipment, their sexual partners, and their children. Pharmacists are no longer required to record information about consumers purchasing syringes in a sharps log, nor are they required to establish the intended use of the syringe. Q: Why is access to syringes so important? A: Access to sterile syringes saves lives. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), sharing injection equipment accounts for one half of all hepatitis C cases in the country and also accounts for nearly one-third of all HIV cases, making it the second most common mode of HIV transmission. The CDC recommends that anyone who injects any substance “use only syringes obtained from a reliable source (such as pharmacies or needle exchange programs),” and that they “use a new, sterile syringe each time.” Q: Is HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis C really affecting people in the Los Angeles area? A: Yes. Within Los Angeles County an estimated 56,000-62,000 people are living with HIV or AIDS. Sharing injecting equipment is the second most commonly reported source of infection. 14,000-15,000 people in the County are currently unaware that they are HIV positive. In addition, CDC estimates there are 135,000 people currently living with hepatitis C in LA County. The majority of hepatitis C cases result from exposure to the virus while sharing injecting equipment, due to lack of access to sterile alternatives. Q: Will pharmacy access to sterile syringes really reduce the rates of HIV and hepatitis? A: Yes. Studies have shown that HIV rates among people who inject drugs in areas which allow pharmacy sales of syringes are half that of areas which do not allow pharmacy syringe sales. Access to sterile syringes prevents the spread of blood-borne diseases. Q: Why is it important that pharmacists participate in this program if there are already syringe exchange programs operating in Los Angeles County? A: Los Angeles has only 6 syringe exchange providers to serve 88 cities, 4,000 square miles, and over 10 million residents. Syringe exchange programs are a good way to reach some syringe users but due to limited locations and hours of operation additional access to sterile syringes in LA County is critical and essential. Q: Will pharmacies be obligated to sell syringes without a prescription? A: Pharmacies may participate in the DPDP on a voluntary basis. SB 1159 permits pharmacists to sell 10 or fewer hypodermic needles or syringes per transaction without a prescription but does not require them to do so. Pharmacies wishing to allow consumers to purchase needles or syringes without a prescription must first register with the County. Q: Will anyone be able to purchase syringes from a participating pharmacy? A: Anyone over 18 years of age may purchase ten of fewer hypodermic syringes without a prescription per visit to a pharmacy that has registered with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. Consumers may purchase ten or fewer syringes per transaction at a pharmacy, but are not limited to a total number they may purchase in a day. Q: How much will this program cost taxpayers? A: SB1159 is not a government sponsored program, no money from taxpayers will not be used to fund the program. In fact, this law will actually help save taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars by preventing the spread of blood-borne diseases such as HIV and hepatitis C which cause a significant number of deaths, resulting in millions of dollars of preventable medical costs. The annual cost to taxpayers to treat someone with hepatitis is $15,000 to $20,000 and the annual cost to treat someone with AIDS is over $25,000 per year. The average cost to taxpayers to support the DPDP: nothing. Permitting adults to access clean syringes prevents the spread of these deadly and costly diseases and costs the taxpayer nothing. Q: Will increased access to syringes only benefit people who inject intoxicants? A: Pharmacy sales of syringes will benefit a larger segment of the population other than injection drug users. The availability of syringes for purchase through a participating pharmacy will benefit individuals who use them to treat medical conditions, many of which may require multiple injections daily, such as diabetes, hepatitis, multiple sclerosis and allergies. With nearly 20% of Los Angeles County residents living without health insurance, laws requiring a prescription to purchase syringes create a barrier to these individuals and their health needs. Q: Shouldn’t we be providing drug treatment to people who inject drugs? A: People who struggle with substance abuse issues should have access to treatment. The Disease Prevention Demonstration Project ensures that people who inject drugs get information about how to access drug treatment by requiring pharmacists to make that information available to their customers who purchase syringes without a prescription. Additionally, pharmacists are required to give their DPDP customers information on HIV and hepatitis C testing, as well information about safe syringe disposal. Q: How do individuals know where to get sterile syringes and where to dispose of used ones? A: Anyone over 18 who needs access to syringes without a prescription can easily locate a participating pharmacy through HelpStopAIDS.com or by calling our 24/7 toll free hotline at 866-864-NORX. A list of safe sharps disposal programs in Los Angeles County is also available on HelpStopAIDS.com. Q: Instead of using a sterile syringe each time they inject, couldn’t a person simply clean their injection equipment with bleach to protect themselves from HIV? A: The World Health Organization, after reviewing scientific evidence on the effectiveness disinfecting used injection equipment with bleach, determined that there was no good evidence to suggest bleach and similar methods of disinfection are effective methods for reducing HIV transmission. Q: The idea of pharmacy-based syringe access seems very progressive. Who supports this idea? A: SB 1159 is supported by physicians, nurses, pharmacists, healthcare workers, AIDS and liver disease educators.
• In California, SB 1159 is Supported By:
➢ AIDS Healthcare Foundation ➢ AIDS Project LA ➢ California Medical Association ➢ California Nurses Association ➢ California Pharmacists’ Association ➢ California Retailers’ Association ➢ Drug Policy Alliance Network ➢ San Francisco AIDS Foundation ➢ Walgreen’s ➢ American Liver Foundation ➢ International Union United Food & Commercial Worker, AFL-CIO ➢ • National Groups That Support Pharmacy Sales Without A Prescription: ➢ American Academy of Pediatrics ➢ American Bar Association AIDS Coordinating Committee ➢ American Pharmaceutical Association ➢ American Public Health Association ➢ National Association of Boards of Pharmacy ➢ National Association of County & City Health Officials ➢ National Alliance of State AIDS Directors ➢ National Association of State Controlled Substance Authorities ➢ U.S. Conference of Mayors |