New bill aims to reduce spread of HIV, other viral pathogens

A bill was introduced in Sacramento yesterday by Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur (D-51), which aims to combat the spread of HIV, viral hepatitis and other blood-borne pathogens through access to sterile syringes. 

Zbur’s health bill, AB 309, is aimed at maintaining pharmacists’ discretion to provide sterile syringes to adults without a prescription. 

“California has been a leader in advancing innovative public health policies, and AB 309 reflects our commitment to science-based strategies that save lives,” said Assemblymember Zbur. “By eliminating unnecessary barriers to accessing sterile syringes, we can reduce the spread of HIV and viral hepatitis, protect vulnerable populations and reduce health care costs.”

In reference to vulnerable populations, it is worth noting that this bill would particularly benefit the health of LGBTQ+ communities. 

The new bill is sponsored by the California Pharmacists Association, Health Officers of California, Drug Policy Alliance and the San Francisco AIDS Foundation to protect public health. 

Since 2004, California has allowed local governments to authorize pharmacies to sell syringes to adults. For the past 20 years, extensive data and research have proved that increased access to sterile syringes reduces transmission rates and prevents deaths that can otherwise be preventable. 

The CDC supports Syringe Services Programs (SSP’s) which work as community prevention programs that provide a range of services to prevent the spread of disease. A 2015 study by the CDC's National HIV Behavioral Surveillance System found how SSPs' clean needle programs help communities. The more syringes distributed per the number of people who inject drugs, the more likely used syringes would be disposed of safely. 

“California’s health officers know that preventing the spread of disease is far better than waiting for a cure,” said Kat DeBurgh, executive director of the Health Officers Association of California. “This bill will keep our communities safe and will prevent the spread of HIV, viral hepatitis and other diseases of public health concern.”

According to model-based and observational data collected by the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, research consistently shows that SSPs have the highest impact in HIV prevention when support is combined with access to medications such as PreP and medications for substance use disorders.

Effectiveness is further proved when SSPs provide innovative and proven strategies without barriers or restrictions and expand access to include harm-reduction and clinical services such as peer outreach and tele-health. 

In order to provide vulnerable communities with SSPs, there needs to be strong and sustainable policy, funding and community support. This all comes in the form of supporting AB 309 as it moves through the legislative process. 

“For decades, research has shown that providing sterile injection supplies to people who inject drugs prevents transmission of HIV/AIDS and other infectious diseases, and we know that providing sterile supplies helps build connections to care, including substance use disorder treatment,” said Grey Gardener, California State director at the Drug Policy Alliance. “This bill costs taxpayers nothing, promotes health and prevents harm.”