Pharmacists' attitudes and concerns regarding syringe sales to injection drug users in Denver, Colorado.
OBJECTIVE
To identify factors influencing pharmacists' decisions about selling syringes to injection drug users (IDUs).


METHODS
Audiotaped interviews.


METHODS
Denver, Colorado.


METHODS
Thirty-two pharmacists at 24 pharmacies.


METHODS
One-hour semistructured interviews.


METHODS
Practices regarding syringe sales to IDUs and factors influencing the practices.


RESULTS
Of the 32 pharmacists interviewed, 16 indicated that they sold syringes to all customers ("pro-sell"), 11 refused to sell unless shown proof of diabetic status ("no-sell"), and 5 were "undecided." Several factors influenced the decision to sell. A perceived conflict between prevention of disease and prevention of drug abuse most clearly distinguished the three categories, with pro-sell pharmacists more likely than others to prioritize disease prevention and believe that syringe sales would not increase drug abuse. Business concerns, such as the effect of the presence of IDUs on other customers and the possibility of discarded syringes around the store, were especially prevalent among no-sell and undecided pharmacists. Seventeen pharmacists did not know about Colorado laws governing syringe sales. Four no-sell pharmacists used the laws to justify their decision not to sell, and two undecided pharmacists said they used the law when they did not want to sell syringes to IDU. All pharmacists supported syringe exchange programs.


CONCLUSIONS
One-half of the pharmacists sold syringes to IDUs, and several more indicated that they would do so if certain concerns were addressed. These data suggest that improved syringe disposal options, continuing education programs, and clarification of existing laws and regulations would encourage more pharmacists in Denver to sell syringes to IDUs.
Lewis
Beth A
BA
University of California at Irvine, USA.
Koester
Stephen K
SK
Bush
Trevor W
TW
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003120:Colorado; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D007883:Legislation, Medical; D018671:Needle-Exchange Programs; D010595:Pharmacists / Q000523:psychology*; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous; D013594:Syringes / Q000600:supply & distribution*