Needle and Syringe Programmes

All pharmacy-based needle and syringe programme settings were likely cost-saving to society when annual HIV incidence exceeded 2.1%. Community pharmacy-based needle and syringe programmes were less costly than standalone needle and syringe programmes. Pharmacy-based and standalone needle and syringe programmes were recommended as complementary rather than mutually exclusive. Barriers to pharmacy-based needle and syringe programmes included remuneration gaps, lack of private consultation space, referral difficulties, and training needs. Community pharmacy-based needle and syringe programmes provided sterile injecting equipment through free supply, non-prescription sales, or mixed free-and-sale models.