The HIV/AIDS Amendment Bill 2026 has been passed by Parliament this afternoon, allowing people who use drugs to access sterile needles and syringes as part of efforts to prevent the spread of HIV. The 2011 legislation has been amended because the provision of sterile needles and syringes could not legally begin under the existing framework.
Minister for Health, Doctor Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu says this allows authorised harm reduction programs to operate under written directions issued by the Minister.
He says the programs may include the free distribution of sterile needles and syringes, condoms and lubricants, access to pre-exposure prophylaxis or PrEP and post-exposure prophylaxis or PEP drugs, counselling and HIV awareness materials.
The programs may also provide for the safe return and disposal of used needles and syringes and referrals to HIV treatment, rehabilitation, mental health and other health and social support services.
Lalabalavu says peer outreach workers will play a central role in distributing sterile needles and syringes and collecting used equipment for safe disposal.
He says the services are expected to be delivered through sexual and reproductive health and HIV clinics, other government clinics, non-governmental partners and interested private pharmacies.
The Minister stresses that the proposed changes do not legalise illicit drugs or authorise drug trafficking, supply, manufacture, cultivation, importation or exportation.
He says legal protections under the amendment will only apply to people carrying out activities reasonably necessary for an authorised harm reduction program.
While supporting the Bill, Assistant Minister for Health, Penioni Ravunawa says the amendment will provide legal protection for ministerially directed harm reduction programmes, including the provision of sterile needles and syringes to people who inject drugs to reduce the sharing of contaminated equipment.
He says the Ministry has prepared for the rollout, with commodities procured, service providers identified and operational standards prepared.
Ravunawa says this will also provide opportunities for HIV testing, connecting people to treatment and referring them for drug dependence support and rehabilitation.
Opposition MP Alvick Maharaj has supported the HIV/AIDS Amendment Bill 2026 but says there is a gap in the proposed legislation regarding legal protection for retail pharmacies that sell needles and syringes.
He says the legislation is an urgent step forward and allowing the free distribution of sterile needles and syringes will help reduce the risk of HIV transmission through the sharing of contaminated injecting equipment.
However, he says the proposed provisions cover the free distribution of needles and syringes under authorised harm reduction programmes but do not explicitly provide the same protection to retail pharmacies selling them.
He says this could become an issue when government-provided supplies are unavailable and people seek to purchase sterile needles and syringes from pharmacies.
Maharaj says the protection should be clarified or expanded to cover responsible retail sales where the equipment is being accessed for the same harm reduction purpose.
He says closing this gap would ensure pharmacies are protected whether they provide needles and syringes through a government-backed free initiative or responsible retail channels.
Minister for Women and Children Sashi Kiran says Fiji's response to HIV must address social vulnerabilities such as poverty, homelessness, substance dependence, mental health challenges, family violence and social exclusion.
Kiran says a key provision of the proposed legislation will allow harm reduction programmes to facilitate referrals to HIV treatment, rehabilitation, mental health services and wider health and social support systems.
She stresses that allowing sterile injecting equipment to be provided through regulated and approved harm reduction programmes is not about encouraging drug use but the objective is to prevent HIV transmission, illness and death while creating opportunities for treatment, rehabilitation and recovery.
She says provisions for the safe return and management of needles and syringes will also reduce the risk of accidental needle-stick injuries and protect health workers, municipal and waste management workers, Police and the wider public.
Kiran says enabling vulnerable people, including people who inject drugs, to connect with healthcare rather than remain hidden will help prevent infections and protect families.
Opposition MP Praveen Bala says if the initiative is about saving lives, they will support it and will not cause any delay.
Bala says people living with HIV should not be stigmatised, as stigma can drive people away from seeking support.
Assistant Minister for Transport Naisa Tuinaceva says the amendment does not legalise drugs but is aimed at preventing the further spread of HIV.
He says the measure is focused on protecting lives and reducing the risk of HIV transmission.
