Community pharmacy services to drug misusers in the south west of England: results of the 2003–2004 postal survey

Abstract

Abstract Objectives To quantify current levels of methadone dispensing and supervised consumption for the treatment of drug misuse in community pharmacies in the south west of England. To compare 2003–2004 data to estimates made in 1995. Setting All community pharmacies in the strategic health authority areas of Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire; Dorset and Somerset; and South West Peninsula (n = 903). Method A self-completion postal questionnaire was addressed to the ‘pharmacist in charge’, with up to three reminders. Descriptive data were collected on demography and drug misuse services provided by the pharmacist. Key findings An overall response rate of 78.3% (707/903) was achieved. Of all respondents, 69.2% (n = 489) dispensed methadone for the treatment of drug misuse, and 70.1% of these pharmacies (n = 343) reported providing a supervised methadone consumption service. The total number of clients receiving methadone through pharmacies in the south west was 3427, with a mean number of 7.0 clients per pharmacy; 49.5% of all clients receiving methadone had their daily doses supervised by the pharmacist. The majority of prescriptions issued for methadone (72.9%, n = 2503) were from general practice. Conclusions The majority of pharmacies (69.2%) in south west England dispense methadone and other drugs to drug misusers with just under half of the clients (49.5%) receiving their methadone by supervised consumption.