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(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

Duplicates SB320

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

Attorney General (AG)

NM Board of Pharmacy

NM Health Policy Commission (HPC)

Department of Health (DOH)

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

House Bill 812 amends the Controlled Substances Act to allow the sale of hypodermic syringes by licensed pharmacists. Currently, any person who sells a hypodermic needle to someone who might reasonably use the syringe for illegal purposes, is subject to prosecution.

Significant Issues

Use of sterile syringes by injection drug users limits the spread of HIV, hepatitis and sexually-transmitted diseases.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

House Bill 2 et all currently contains an increase of $150.0 in general fund to enhance the needle exchange program.

ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS

DOH indicates it would provide educational materials to pharmacists who would choose to participate in selling syringes, as well as providing bio-hazardous waste containers and disposal services to local pharmacists.

TECHNICAL ISSUES

The bill amends the law to allow pharmacists to sell syringes. However, the average person may still be charged for possession of a syringe as paraphernalia under the law.

POSSIBLE QUESTIONS

Would a prescription be required to allow pharmacists to sell syringes?

RAE/njw