Barriers to the provision of needle-exchange services: a qualitative study in community pharmacies

Objective To investigate the attitudes of pharmacists to the provision of needle-exchange services (NES) at community pharmacies and, if barriers exist, explore means by which they may be overcome. Setting Twenty-one community pharmacies across Grampian in North East Scotland during May and June 2005. Method Semi-structured face-to-face interviews conducted with 24 pharmacists. Key findings Newly identified barriers included the negative influence of security staff, a local policy against NES provision and a lack of awareness of other services available for drug users. Conclusion Training packages for all health professionals working with drug users and awareness training for security staff are required if the identified barriers are to be overcome. ‘Hands-on’ training and experience of NES for pharmacists and their staff should be available. Suggestions made by pharmacists for NES provision in general practitioner surgeries or community hospitals and the development of automated services should be considered.