OBJECTIVE: To explore consumer satisfaction with, and experiences of, a range of issues associated with the delivery of opioid substitution treatment at community pharmacies in New South Wales, Australia. SETTING: 50 community pharmacies providing opioid substitution treatment in New South Wales. METHOD: Self-completion survey completed by 508 clients during supervised dosing. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Satisfaction with opioid substitution treatment delivery at community pharmacies. RESULTS: Sixty-one percent of participants reported being satisfied with their treatment programme. Participants expressed a high level of satisfaction with most aspects of opioid substitution treatment delivery at their pharmacy (aggregate mean = 8.1/10; 10 = excellent). However, participants were less satisfied with the level of privacy afforded at the pharmacy. Thirty-four percent reported that they were made to wait longer than other customers, and 25% reported that the pharmacy staff did not treat them the same as other customers. However, 87% reported that they felt welcomed by the pharmacy staff. Twenty-three percent of clients were currently in debt to the pharmacy for nonpayment of dispensing fees. The mean amount of current debt was $71.75, equivalent to approximately 2 weeks of pharmacy dispensing fees. CONCLUSION: Community pharmacies providing opioid substitution treatment in New South Wales appear to be providing a level of service that is satisfactory to the clients of those services. However, many participants were concerned about a lack of privacy, the high cost of treatment, and being treated differently to other customers.
OBJECTIVE: To explore consumer satisfaction with, and experiences of, a range of issues associated with the delivery of opioid substitution treatment at community pharmacies in New South Wales, Australia. SETTING: 50 community pharmacies providing opioid substitution treatment in New South Wales. METHOD: Self-completion survey completed by 508 clients during supervised dosing. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Satisfaction with opioid substitution treatment delivery at community pharmacies. RESULTS: Sixty-one percent of participants reported being satisfied with their treatment programme. Participants expressed a high level of satisfaction with most aspects of opioid substitution treatment delivery at their pharmacy (aggregate mean = 8.1/10; 10 = excellent). However, participants were less satisfied with the level of privacy afforded at the pharmacy. Thirty-four percent reported that they were made to wait longer than other customers, and 25% reported that the pharmacy staff did not treat them the same as other customers. However, 87% reported that they felt welcomed by the pharmacy staff. Twenty-three percent of clients were currently in debt to the pharmacy for nonpayment of dispensing fees. The mean amount of current debt was $71.75, equivalent to approximately 2 weeks of pharmacy dispensing fees. CONCLUSION: Community pharmacies providing opioid substitution treatment in New South Wales appear to be providing a level of service that is satisfactory to the clients of those services. However, many participants were concerned about a lack of privacy, the high cost of treatment, and being treated differently to other customers.