Drug Misuse and HIV Prevention: Attitudes and Practices of Community Pharmacists with Respect to two London Family Health Services Authorities

Abstract

This study investigated community pharmacists' attitudes, knowledge and involvement in service provision to drug misusers. A postal questionnaire was sent to all community pharmacies in two central London Family Health Service Authorities (N = 285). A 54% response rate was obtained. Over one half were involved in dispensing controlled drugs and selling sterile injecting equipment and 13% involved in needle exchange. However, there was evidence that respondents negatively stigmatised drug misusers and this tendency was greater the longer the respondent had been a community pharmacist, but those providing services to drug misusers had more positive attitudes towards persons with HIV and drug misusers when compared to non-providers. Service provision was positively associated with confidence in one's knowledge about HIV and drug misuse with regard to counselling clients. Issues surrounding professional training are discussed.

Key Words:

• Community pharmacy
• Service provision
• Drug misuse
• HIV/AIDS
• Attitude
• Knowledge