IL Senate committee approves bill expanding access to sterile hypodermic syringes, needles

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — The Illinois Senate Public Health Committee unanimously approved a bill Tuesday to require pharmacists to sell sterile hypodermic syringes or needles if they are in stock.

Sponsors said pharmacists would be able to use their professional judgement to sell the equipment to any customer for proper utilization or administration of medications.

Sen. Mike Simmons (D-Chicago) and Rep. Kelly Cassidy (D-Chicago) filed this bill after a constituent was unable to receive the medical equipment from her pharmacist.

"This legislation is necessary for those who are looking to access syringes or needles and are not able to access them through venues they would normally go to that are not pharmacies," Simmons said. "We did something similar a couple years ago when we passed legislation to make PrEP and PEP access available through pharmacies under a standing order."

The proposal now moves to the Senate floor for further discussion. House Bill 2589 gained unanimous support in the House earlier this month.