Community pharmacy service for drug misusers in Scotland: Trends in service delivery over two decades

In 1995, 2000 and 2006 surveys were conducted of all community pharmacies in Scotland to chart service provision for drug misusers. Since 2006 there have been several changes that may have influenced the level, and nature of pharmacy services. These include 1) a new Drug Strategy emphasising recovery 2) a national “take home naloxone” programme to reduce Scotland’s high incidence of drug-related deaths and 3) the development of pharmacist prescribing. The survey aimed to quantify pharmacy substance misuse service provision and compare with previous surveys. Specific objectives were to describe:1. pharmacists’ attitudes towards drug misusers and pharmacy services for drug misusers;2. levels of dispensing opiate replacement treatment, needle exchange and naloxone provision;3. specialist training;4. pharmacist prescriber activity