Sen. Dodd’s Mobile Pharmacy Van Bill Clears Assembly

SACRAMENTO – The California Assembly has approved legislation from Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, that would authorize the creation of mobile pharmacy vans to bring medication and counseling to California’s hard-to-reach communities, improving health for homeless people and many others who have inadequate access to care.

“This is a big step toward addressing the underlying cause of many societal challenges, including homelessness,” Sen. Dodd said. “Many people can’t get to the medication they need to lead healthy, productive lives, so we will bring it to them. This bill creates critical access to potentially life-saving drugs that will improve the lives of the most vulnerable Californians.”

Sen. Dodd’s proposal, Senate Bill 872, authorizes public agencies and others on the front lines of serving homeless and vulnerable people to operate mobile pharmacies. Each mobile unit would have a physician as part of the team to prescribe medications that can be dispensed immediately. Oversight would come from the state Board of Pharmacy.

The bill is supported by healthcare advocates as well as Contra Costa, San Diego and Santa Clara counties. It was approved Thursday in the Assembly with unanimous, bipartisan support and will head to Gov. Gavin Newsom for a signature following Senate concurrence. The deadline for signing the bill is Sept. 30.

“I am excited this mobile pharmacy bill has the backing of the California State Assembly,” said Nathan Fletcher, chair of the San Diego County Board of Supervisors. “This vote brings us closer to the finish line, and soon this new resource for healthcare services and prescriptions will be available in San Diego County. Sen. Bill Dodd is doing a great service for the residents of San Diego County by helping us advance this legislation.” 

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Senator Bill Dodd represents the 3rd Senate District, which includes all or portions of Napa, Solano, Yolo, Sonoma, Contra Costa, and Sacramento counties. You can learn more about the district and Senator Dodd at www.sen.ca.gov/dodd.