Many Oregon pharmacies still require prescriptions for syringes

(APRIL 10, 2025) Even though syringes can legally be sold without a prescription in Oregon, 43% of community pharmacies still refuse to sell them over the counter. This creates a barrier that could increase the spread of diseases like hepatitis C and HIV, especially among people who inject drugs.

Researchers at Oregon State University called over 400 pharmacies across the state. They found that the refusal to sell syringes without a prescription was surprisingly more common in urban areas than rural ones. In fact, rural pharmacies were twice as likely to sell a 10-pack of syringes over the counter.

This is especially concerning in a state with one of the highest hepatitis C infection rates. The virus spreads easily through shared needles. Access to clean syringes is a proven way to reduce that risk.

“The opioid crisis is a public health disaster,” said Adriane Irwin. She is a professor at OSU’s College of Pharmacy. “Expanding access to sterile syringes is an evidence-based strategy for minimizing the negative consequences of drug use.”

The researchers say more needs to be done to match public health recommendations with real-world pharmacy practices. Similar studies in other cities, like Austin, Texas, show that many U.S. pharmacies are inconsistent when it comes to syringe access.