Expanding access to sterile syringes through pharmacies: assessment of New York's Expanded Syringe Access Program.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the evolution of pharmacist practices, attitudes, and experiences with the Expanded Syringe Access Program (ESAP), which permits over-the-counter sale of syringes by registered pharmacies in New York State.


METHODS
Longitudinal study.


METHODS
New York State in 2002 and 2006.


METHODS
506 (2002) and 682 (2006) managing pharmacists (response rates approximately 70%) at ESAP-registered pharmacies (n = 346 in both years).


METHODS
Mailed surveys (2002 and 2006).


METHODS
Pharmacist practices, attitudes, and experiences with ESAP over time.


RESULTS
Approximately 75% of pharmacists reported that ESAP had facilitated timely/emergency access to syringes, and more than 90% in each year reported no problems or very few problems administering ESAP. The practice of placing additional requirements on the sale of syringes decreased from 2002 (51.4%) to 2006 (45.1%), while a 55% increase in syringe sales was reported between 2002 (43.3/month) and 2006 (67.1/month). The sale of sharps containers also increased between 2002 (85.2%) and 2006 (92.8%). Community independent pharmacies and those located outside New York City generally expressed more favorable attitudes and experiences with ESAP, although these differences decreased over time.


CONCLUSIONS
Pharmacy-based syringe access is a viable harm-reduction alternative in the fight against blood-borne diseases, with ESAP now equaling the number of syringes being distributed by syringe exchange programs in New York State. Continued education/training is necessary to increase participation in ESAP and to further reduce barriers to ESAP use.
Tesoriero
James M
JM
Office of Program Evaluation and Research, AIDS Institute, New York State Department of Health, Riverview Center, Suite 516, 150 Broadway, Menands, NY 12204, USA. jmt07@health.state.ny.us
Battles
Haven B
HB
Klein
Susan J
SJ
Kaufman
Erin
E
Birkhead
Guthrie S
GS
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003625:Data Collection; D004513:Education, Pharmacy, Continuing; D040261:Harm Reduction; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D018671:Needle-Exchange Programs / Q000458:organization & administration*; D009518:New York; D010593:Pharmaceutical Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010595:Pharmacists / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012037:Refuse Disposal; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000150:complications; D013594:Syringes / Q000600:supply & distribution; D013997:Time Factors