Pharmacy Needle Exchange
The Pharmacy Needle Exchange Programme is carried out in more than 100 pharmacies nationwide. Community pharmacy-based needle exchange allows patients to pick up sterile injecting equipment and return used items. Pharmacists also refer patients to appropriate services like:
- addiction treatment and counselling centres; and
- centres which carry out blood-borne virus testing and hepatitis B vaccinations.
The Needle Exchange Review was commissioned by the National Social Inclusion office.
Patients can identify pharmacies taking part by the international needle exchange logo on their shopfronts.
The Pharmacy Needle Exchange is in place in most towns and counties outside of Dublin, Wicklow and Kildare.
Find out more about the HSE Drugs and Alcohol Helpline
For further information on the pharmacy needle exchange programme please contact:
Norma Harnedy, National Liaison Pharmacist: NormaM.Harnedy@hse.ie
Tim Bingham, National Pharmacy Liaison Worker: Tim.bingham@hse.ie