The role of Glasgow pharmacists in the management of drug misuse

A comparison of community pharmacy methadone services between Dublin and Glasgow: (1) Extent of service provision in 1997/1998 and views of pharmacists on existing provision and future service developments

“…Overall, 68% (76/112) of Glasgow respondents supervised methadone consumption. This figure is the same as that reported by Roberts et al in 1998 for the total number of pharmacies in Glasgow providing a supervised methadone service (Gruer et al, 1997). The structured methadone scheme in Glasgow is entirely funded by the NHS; therefore, we conclude that the findings are generalizable to Glasgow.…”

“…The differences in the level of participation in the provision of methadone dispensing services between Dublin and Glasgow (38% vs. 80%) were significant but not surprising in light of the formal scheme in Glasgow and the absence of an equivalent scheme in Dublin (Irish Ministerial Task Force, 1996;Roberts et al, 1998) i.e., the different circumstances in which the two groups were operating. Gender and employment status (pharmacy owner or employee) were significantly different between respondents from Dublin and Glasgow.…”

“…The level of supervised consumption of methadone in the community pharmacy was found to be much higher in Glasgow than in Dublin. In 1996, an area pharmacy specialist for drug misuse was appointed in Glasgow, with responsibilities including the coordination and facilitation of community pharmacists concerned with methadone dispensing and supervision (Gruer et al, 1997;Roberts et al, 1998). Under the programme in operation in Glasgow, pharmacists are encouraged to provide an area suitable for the supervision of methadone consumption by patients and many pharmacists have adapted their premises in this manner.…”

“…The supervised consumption of methadone within a community pharmacy under the direct supervision of a pharmacist is recognized as an effective means of avoiding overdose or illicit diversion of methadone and has demonstrated substantial benefits for patients (McBride et al, 1994;Scott et al, 1998). However, despite this research, there exists a wide variation in the nature and extent of community pharmacy involvement in service provision between Dublin and Glasgow (Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland, 1996;Roberts et al, 1998). …”

“…An established and well-run scheme with tight controls had been in operation in Glasgow since May 1994 (Gruer et al, 1997;Roberts et al, 1998;Scott et al, 1994;Scott et al, 1998). In 1994, 45% of all community pharmacists in Glasgow were either already supervising the consumption of methadone or were prepared to do so (Scott et al, 1994).…”