The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 277 No 7415 p248
26 August 2006

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· Department of Health
· Work pressures (2)
· Homoeopathy (2)
· Controlled drugs
· Safety
· Oxygen service
· Compliance aids
· Needle exchange
· Paracetamol
· Smoking cessation
· The profession (2)
· Retention fees (4)
· The Society (2)
· Public image

Letters to the Editor

Needle exchange

“Exchange” — a misnomer

From Mr A. McCourt, MRPharmS

I read the leading article on needle exchange with great interest (PJ, 12 August, p180). My involvement with such a scheme has left me with the feeling that “exchange” is a misnomer. Only about 10 per cent of needles we supplied came back to us; their place was taken by any old bits of plastic rubbish concealed in the black tubes provided, obviously with the intention to make the pharmacy staff believe an exchange was taking place. To add injury to insult, stock went missing while the needles were being assembled. These factors led to the scheme being discontinued. A needle supply scheme is not something I feel able to undertake.

Al McCourt
Carlisle

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