Attitudes and practices of pharmacy managers regarding needle sales to injection drug users. NLM AIDSLINE Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1999. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

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

J Am Pharm Assoc (Wash). 1999 Jan-Feb;39(1):23-6. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE MED/99143994
Farley TA; Niccolai LM; Billeter M; Kissinger PJ; Grace M; HIV/STD Section, Louisiana Office of Public Health, New Orleans,; USA.

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.
Keywords: JOURNAL ARTICLE Adult Cross-Sectional Studies Female Focus Groups Health Services Accessibility Human HIV Infections/PREVENTION & CONTROL *Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice Louisiana Male *Needles *Pharmacists Questionnaires *Substance Abuse, IntravenousKWDjournalarticleadultcross-sectionalstudiesfemalefocusgroupshealthservicesaccessibilityhumanhivinfections/prevention&controlKWDknowledge,attitudes,practicelouisianamaleKWDneedlesKWDpharmacistsquestionnairesKWDsubstanceabuse,intravenous
990530
A9950165

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