Bill Allows Mobile Pharmacies to Dispense Opioid Addiction Treatment to Increase Access to Lifesaving Medication

Sacramento - Assemblymember Matt Haney’s (D-San Francisco) legislation that will allow mobile pharmacies to carry and dispense medications used for the treatment of Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) has reached a critical milestone in the legislative process, having passed out of the Assembly and heading to the Senate with bipartisan support. The bill previously passed the Assembly Business and Professions Committee 18-0 and the Assembly Appropriations Committee 16-0.

AB 663 will help local efforts to treat opioid use disorder, prevent overdose deaths, and further improve access to healthcare for the most vulnerable patients. While deaths are often the most visible manifestation of the overdose crisis, hundreds of thousands of people in California suffer from opioid use disorder, often referred to as opioid addiction. This illness is often defined by withdrawal symptoms, intense cravings, and risky behaviors that can put one’s health and safety at risk; however opioid use disorder, like other chronic medical conditions, can be effectively treated.

“Mobile pharmacies will play a critical role in expanding access to care, particularly for patients in rural or underserved areas,” said Haney. “We can increase access to life-saving medication for people experiencing an opioid addiction by removing these logistical barriers. We can ensure that patients will receive comprehensive treatment in order to overcome their addiction and achieve long-term recovery.”

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