Attitudes and practices of pharmacy managers regarding needle sales to injection drug users.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To determine Louisiana pharmacy managers' attitudes and practices regarding needle and syringe sales to suspected injection drug users (IDUs) without prescriptions, and to assess which factors affect their decisions to sell nonprescription needles and syringes. DESIGN: Cross-sectional mail survey. SETTING: The six most populous cities of Louisiana. PARTICIPANTS: Pharmacy managers with active permits not affiliated with large hospitals or institutions. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Selling nonprescription needles to suspected IDUs, willingness to sell nonprescription needles to suspected IDUs, and reasons for not selling nonprescription needles to suspected IDUs. RESULTS: Approximately one-fourth of the respondents reported that they had sold needles and syringes to suspected IDUs without a prescription. The most frequently cited reason for not selling was fear of increasing drug use; however, many of these pharmacists reported that they would conduct a sale if the customer had a referral from an agency or clinic. CONCLUSION: Pharmacists can assist in the prevention of HIV transmission through nonprescription needle sales to IDUs. This role can be promoted through education of pharmacists and development of referral systems for IDUs.