Objectives: Dispensing antiretroviral drugs in private pharmacies has been allowed in France since October 1997. One year after this measure was implemented, we conducted a survey of patients and pharmacists in the Lille metropolitan area to assess its impact.
Method: Structured interviews with a representative sample of private pharmacists and HIV infected patients in the Lille metropolitan area were carried out.
Results: 100 pharmacists were interviewed. Most worked in urban areas and their main clientele were from the neighbourhood. Most felt that HIV infection was a common disease and were interested in dispensing antiretroviral drugs as a public health service despite the marginal income from these sales. Two-thirds had received training on HIV infection and most knew the importance of adhering to the treatment. However, the number of antiretroviral drugs and the classes of these drugs that were available were not well known. Among the 97 patients followed by the Service of Infectious Diseases of the Tourcoing Hospital, 22% received their medications from the local private pharmacy, 62% got them from the hospital pharmacy and 16% got them from both places. However, 39% received at least one drug that was only available from the hospital pharmacy. The patients going to private pharmacies described an improved quality of life and mostly chose their regular pharmacist to get their medications. Most preferred to get their medications openly, as opposed to secretly. Many patients going to the hospital pharmacy made their choice based on better confidentiality. Private pharmacists also expressed the fear of lack of confidentiality. Private pharmacies were seen as friendlier with quicker service, but slightly less competent than the hospital pharmacy. Finally, the topic of adhering to this form of HIV treatment is rarely discussed in private pharmacies.
Conclusions: Both the patients and private pharmacists appreciate the fact that these drugs can be dispensed in private pharmacies, but the impact of this measure is limited by the number of drugs that are only available at the hospital pharmacy. Private pharmacists do not often discuss the importance of adhering to the therapy and progress is needed in this area.