Providing drug injectors with easier access to sterile injecting equipment: a description of a pharmacy based scheme

In this short paper we describe the operation of a pharmacy-based scheme operating in Glasgow to provide injecting drug users with sterile injecting equipment. The operation of the scheme is described under a number of headings: its physical location, the policy of selling injecting equipment, the return of previously used equipment, counselling and referral, and, the style of working of pharmacy staff. It is shown that while retail pharmacies may be an important point of contact with injecting drug users it should not be assumed that pharmacy staff already possess the requisite skills for working in this area. There is a need for pharmacists' and their staff to be able to draw upon the experience of colleagues working in this area in order to benefit from a pool of common experience. In addition there is a need to provide staff with access to appropriate back-up and support services.