Access to sterile syringes in Maine: pharmacy practice after the 1993 repeal of the syringe prescription law

Article Abstract:

The legislature of the state of Maine repealed the law requiring a prescription for purchase of syringes in 1993, however it seems educational programs explaining the medical reasons injection drug users (IDU's) need access to sterile syringes are needed. The prevention of transmission of HIV and other blood-borne diseases was the reason for the repeal. While 94% of pharmacists said they were willing to sell syringes without a prescription, only 47% were willing to sell a syringe without a prescription to suspected IDU's.

Laws, regulations and rules, Surveys, Maine, Pharmacists

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A sterile syringe for every drug user injection: how many injections take place annually, and how might pharmacists contribute to syringe distribution?

Article Abstract:

In order to prevent HIV infection in drug users, their sex partners and children, a situation of one syringe for each injection should be seen as optimum. In reviewing published documents, a reasonable estimate can be made that there are between 920 million and 1.7 billion injections each year by injection drug users. This would subdivide into, for example, 12 million injections per year in San Francisco and more than 80 million in New York City. Pharmacy-based distribution would make such a program feasible.

Statistics, Hypodermic syringes

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An economic analysis of needle exchange and pharmacy-based programs to increase sterile syringe availability for injection drug users

Article Abstract:

An economic analysis balancing the cost of making sterile syringes available to injection drug users against the number of HIV seropositive cases prevented shows that a cost-neutral situation could be achieved. Cost-neutral means that the cost of the needles is equalled by the savings in medical expenses. Several different approaches, all costing different amounts, were analyzed, but at a 2.1% improvement rate, all approaches including the most expensive become cost-neutral.

Analysis, Economic aspects, Medical care, Cost of, Health care costs, Needle exchange programs

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