Syringes Now Available Over-the-Counter

Needles and syringes can now be purchased over-the-counter in Pennsylvania, which had been one of the last states to require a prescription to buy syringes. 

They must be kept behind the pharmacy counter and sold under the supervision of a pharmacist. 

The regulation was approved by the Independent Regulatory Review Commission (IRRC) on July 23, 2009 and became final when it was published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin on Sept. 12. 

In comments to IRRC, the Medical Society supported over-the-counter sale of needles and syringes with specific safeguards, which were considered and addressed.

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Last Updated: 10/6/2009
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