Sen. Dodd: Governor Signs Mobile Pharmacy Van Bill

SACRAMENTO – Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed legislation from Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, to 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.

“With this new law we can help address the underlying cause of many societal challenges, including homelessness,” Sen. Dodd said. “It will bring medication to the people can’t get to it now and help them lead healthy, productive lives. And it 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 signed by the governor Monday after winning bipartisan support in the Assembly and Senate.

“Gov. Gavin Newsom’s signature of support for our mobile pharmacy bill gives us the ability to deliver health care services and prescriptions to residents living in hard-to-reach areas of our county,” said Nathan Fletcher, chair of the San Diego County Board of Supervisors. “This will make a positive difference in people’s lives. I appreciate the governor and want to thank Sen. Bill Dodd for working with us to move this important piece of legislation over the finish line.” 

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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.