Oral

Increasing access to sterile syringes for injection drug users (IDUs) has been politically controversial in the United States. Nonetheless, all but 14 states now have syringe exchange programs (SEPs) and nearly all permit over-the-counter (OTC) pharmacy sales of syringes without a physician’s prescription. One of the last states to permit OTC pharmacy sales is California. In 2005, statewide policymakers permitted pharmacy sales of up to 10 syringes to adults without a medical prescription if local county governments formally approved of it and the local health department registered pharmacies. A recent analysis of SEP access in California indicated that this approach type of approach (requiring local government approval) resulted in more SEPs in the state but no increase in SEPs high-need counties (Bluthenthal et al. AJPH 2008). In this panel, presentations will provide a comprehensive description of the implementation and outcomes of this HIV policy change including documenting political dynamics, pharmacy participation, public health department successes and challenges, and use of pharmacies by IDUs.

Session Objectives: Participants will be able to: 1. Describe contemporary policies associated with public health's role in syringe exchange programs. 2. Describe the outcomes of recent policy change in California with regard to HIV among injection drug users. 3. List best practice standards for the development and implementation of effective policies related to syringe exchange.

CE Credits: CME, Health Education (CHES), Nursing