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

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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.