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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

Wendy Caceres, BA, Abby Rudolph, BA, Shannon Blaney, MPH, Erin Lewis, MS, Katherine Standish, BA, David Vlahov, PhD, and Crystal M. Fuller, PhD. Center for Urban Epidemiologic Studies, New York Academy of Medicine, 1216 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10029, 212-822-7274, arudolph@nyam.org

BACKGROUND: In 2001 New York State enacted the Expanded Syringe Access Program (ESAP) deregulating nonprescription pharmacy syringe sales to reduce disease transmission among injection drug users (IDUs) through increased sterile syringe access. However, black and Hispanic IDUs report low participation. Pharmacy advertisement of syringe availability is prohibited; however, pharmacists can display state-issued ESAP logo decals on doors/windows indicating ESAP registration. This analysis aims to identify characteristics of pharmacists who display the ESAP logo decal versus those who do not, which may inform policy that would aid in reaching underserved groups. METHODS: Annual anonymous cross-sectional telephone surveys among pharmacists, ascertaining ESAP attitudes and practices, were conducted (2002-2004). Chi square tests and Cochran-Mantel Haenszel test for trend were used. RESULTS: Display of ESAP decals increased over time (59% [n=96], 61% [n=82], and 82% [n=89] respectively, p<0.05). Decal–displaying pharmacists were more likely to support safer injection pamphlets (p<0.01), support ESAP (p<0.05), sell to non-diabetics (p<0.05), and less likely to believe that ESAP would increase drug use (p<0.05). There were no differences in number of syringes sold or customers sold to by decal-displaying status. Of the few ESAP-registered pharmacists who had never sold a syringe, none displayed ESAP decal (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: ESAP-registered pharmacists who support IDU syringe sales and have positive attitudes about its impact are more likely to display the ESAP logo. However, this has not translated into more customers or more sales. Promotion of ESAP logo recognition and program information in the community may help increase use among underserved IDU groups.

Learning Objectives:

• -Assess barriers to a pharmacy syringe access policy’s effectiveness.
• -Develop evaluations to inform solutions to racial/ethnic disparities in access to sterile syringes.
• -Prioritize communication on syringe availability at the community level.

Keywords: Public Health Legislation, Injection Drug Users

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation