 |
 |
|
||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
||||||
|
|
Letters about Injection Drug Users and HIV Prevention Issues
October 1999
HIV Prevention & Access to Sterile Syringes Dear Colleague: Approximately one third of all AIDS cases and one half of hepatitis C cases are directly or indirectly linked to injection drug use. Limited access to sterile syringes contributes to the transmission of these blood-borne infections among injection drug users (IDUs), their sex partners, and their children. The United States Public Health Service recommends that drug users who continue to inject use a new, sterile syringe for each injection to prevent the transmission of blood-borne pathogens and that they obtain syringes from reliable sources such as pharmacies. In many states, there are legal and regulatory barriers to the pharmacy sale of sterile syringes to IDUs, including prescription and drug paraphernalia laws and pharmacy regulations on syringe sales. The American Medical Association (AMA), the American Pharmaceutical Association (APhA), the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO), and the National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors (NASTAD) have suggested that the removal or modification of legal barriers is an important step in increasing the availability of sterile syringes through pharmacies. Connecticut, Minnesota, and Maine have made such changes. AMA, APhA, ASTHO, and NASTAD have adopted the following policies related to pharmacy sale of syringes.
AMA, APhA, ASHTO, NASTAD, and the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) believe that coordinated efforts of state leaders in pharmacy, public health, and medicine are needed to address access to sterile syringes as a means of preventing further transmission of blood-borne diseases. We encourage you and other state leaders in these fields to meet, assess the situation in your state, and decide on appropriate approaches to these important public health issues. Other issues that may be important to consider are the availability of substance abuse treatment and options for safe disposal of syringes For more information, you can contact the following staff members of the organizations issuing this letter:
We look forward to working with you to address these significant public health problems. Sincerely,
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
Last Updated: October 3, 2002
Centers
for Disease Control & Prevention Privacy Policy | Accessibility
|
