Crain's Health Pulse Covers Dr. Finkelstein's

A story in the May 1 edition of Crain's Health Pulse explains the results of Dr. Ruth Finkelstein's new syringe-sales study. Her research shows that nearly one-third of pharmacies in New York City that are registered to participate in the syringe access program are not, in fact, allowing customers to purchase syringes without a prescription.

A syringe access law adopted in January, 2001 allows syringes to be sold to customers without a prescription. The law was adopted as part of an effort to reduce disease transmission from used needles. Injection drug use has been the driving force behind New York City's HIV epidemic for more than a decade, according to Finkelstein.

Facts of the study highlighted by Crain's include:

• Safety information was only distributed by 30 percent of the pharmacies that sold the syringes. Pharmacies are required to give such information to customers.

• Information about safe disposal of used syringes, was provided by only 10 percent of pharmacists without being asked.

• Bronx pharmacies fared worst. Two-thirds did not sell syringes to customers who lacked a prescription. The state Department of Health retrained pharmacists in that borough, after learning of the Academy's results.

Finkelstein is director of the Academy's Office of Special Populations. Crain's Health Pulse is a daily fax regarding the business of health care, and is a product of Crain's New York Business.

Posted on May 2, 2002

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