NICE public health guidance: what's new?

This guidance is on the optimal provision of NSPs. A key aim of NSPs is to reduce the transmission of blood-borne viruses and other infections caused by sharing injecting equipment. The recommendations cover the planning, assessment of needs and commissioning of services. Those involved in commissioning need to ensure a mix of generic and targeted NSP services are available to meet the needs within the area covered by the Local Strategic Partnership. Targeted services need to focus on specific groups, including the homeless and women who inject drugs. The types of services required are set out: the level of services, their availability, and equipment and advice. The role of community pharmacy-based NSPs and specialist NSPs are also detailed. In developing the guidance, consideration was given to the ethical issues and social values related to NSPs. There is the difficulty of meeting the health needs of people who inject drugs without appearing to condone or normalize drug use. Also NSPs might have disadvantages, e.g. they might deter people who inject drugs from using safer forms of drug taking or from quitting their habit altogether. Economic modelling showed that the most cost-effective NSPs aimed to reduce the number of people who are injecting drug users. NSPs can help reduce the costs of drugs misuse to society by reducing drug-related crime and reducing the transmission of hepatitis C or HIV through injecting.