Meeting the health needs of problematic drug users through community pharmacy: A qualitative study

Background: Community pharmacies are established service providers for problematic drug users (PDUs). PDUs have many unmet health needs, which pharmacists may be able to help resolve. This paper aims to qualitatively explore the feasibility and desirability of further developing community pharmacy services to meet the wider health needs of problematic drug users. Methods: Semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions were used to explore current and future pharmacy service provision to PDUs. Views were sought from 20 PDUs, 12 staff from community pharmacies, and seven stakeholders and commissioners from relevant agencies. Data were thematically analyzed and potential services including possible barriers identified. Results & Discussion: Data highlighted variability in current services in the study area in terms of availability and quality. Good rapport between users and regular staff was highlighted as an important factor in good quality services. Pharmacies were consistently identified as having key opportunities to make useful health interventions within a range of therapeutic areas including nutrition, dentistry, wound care, and infectious diseases. The most widely supported roles were based around information provision and signposting. However, there was support for direct interventions to be delivered within the pharmacy, by a regular member of staff or a visiting specialist.