Services Database Needle Exchange (Birmingham Area)

Pharmacies will provide access to sterile needles and syringes, and sharps containers for return of used equipment. Associated paraphernalia such as vitamin C powder and swabs to promote safe injecting practice and reduce transmission of infections by substance misusers will be provided.

All service users in contact with opioids are to be offered training in recognising the symptoms of opioid overdose, how to respond appropriately and how to administer naloxone. The training can be delivered by any member of the pharmacy team who has been appropriately trained and has been deemed competent to do so by the pharmacist in charge. Once completed, a take-home naloxone kit may be issued to the service user.

• The named pharmacist will attend training and accreditation events organised by CRI.
• The lead pharmacist must have successfully completed the CPPE course “Substance Use and Misuse” (Pharmacist Version). The completion certificate for this course must be no more than three years old. In addition, the lead pharmacist must have completed and submitted the relevant CPPE declaration of competence.
• Staff involved in the delivery of training for the take-home naloxone programme have been signed off by the contractor as competent to do so using protocols agreed by CRI.