Committee backs ordinance requiring retail pharmacies to stock naloxone

Supervisor Dorsey introduced an ordinance that would require all retail pharmacies in the city to carry at least two doses/boxes of an opioid antagonist (naloxone) and to post signs about availability. Dr. Jeffrey Hom, Director of Population Behavioral Health (DPH), told the committee that DPH data showed roughly a quarter of retail pharmacies in San Francisco lacked naloxone in stock when surveyed and that pharmacy availability would complement community distribution (DPH and partners distributed more than 72,000 doses this year).

Dr. Hom urged quick action to close availability gaps and noted that over‑the‑counter approval of some naloxone nasal sprays makes broader pharmacy access timely. Committee members asked about costs, signage and public education. After one caller reiterated a prevention‑first point of view, the committee voted to send the ordinance to the full Board with a positive recommendation.