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Action Plan for the Prevention, Care, & Treatment of Viral Hepatitis - Stakeholders' Workbook: Exploring Vital Roles and Opportunities to Break the Silence

This workbook contains an initial list of opportunities that stakeholders from various sectors can undertake to complement the federal efforts detailed in the 100-page Action Plan for the Prevention, Care, & Treatment of Viral Hepatitis. It was created to assist organizations and stakeholders in identifying additional innovative and actionable (specific and detailed) opportunities to advance each of the Action Plan’s six priority areas. This workbook accompanies the Action Plan found at: https://www.aids.gov/pdf/viral-hepatitis-action-plan.pdf.

Pharmacy Sales of Sterile Syringes

This information sheet discusses the role of pharmacies in efforts to help injecting drug users (IDUs) gain access to sterile syringes and equipment in order to reduce their risk of acquiring and transmitting HIV and other blood-borne diseases.The information sheet lists advantages of pharmacy sales, the barriers to pharmacy sales, the changes that some states have made to legalize pharmacy sales, and suggestions for encouraging more pharmacy sales of syringes to IDUs who will not or cannot stop injecting drugs.

Syringe Exchange Programs

This information sheet supports the use of syringe exchange programs (SEPs) for injecting drug users, who will not or cannot stop injecting drugs, as one method of lowering the risk of IDUs acquiring or transmitting HIV. SEPs allow IDUs to safely dispose of used syringes and obtain sterile ones at no cost and offer prevention and health care education and services. The information sheet discusses the public health impact of SEPs and considers the challenges for SEPs and ways of supporting access to sterile syringes through SEPs.

Syringe Disposal

This information sheet discusses the problem of safe disposal of used syringes by diabetics as well as injecting drug users (IDUs) to prevent needlestick injuries and transmission of blood-borne diseases like HIV/AIDS and viral hepatitis. The information sheet explains the public concern with syringe disposal, presents safe disposal methods that have been used in some communities, and notes that barriers to syringe disposal programs include laws that establish criminal penalties for distribution and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Access to Sterile Syringes

This information sheet discusses the necessity for injecting drug users (IDUs), who cannot or will not stop injecting drugs, to have access to sterile syringes in order to prevent the spread of HIV. The sheet explains that (1) the method used to prepare and inject drugs offers many opportunities for the spread of HIV and hepatitis viruses, (2) IDUs do not generally have access to sterile syrnges because most states have laws that restrict the sale and distribution of sterile syringes, and (3) safe disposal of used syringes is also a concern.

Policy Efforts to Increase IDUs' Access to Sterile Syringes

This information sheet explains that in order to reduce the transmission of HIV and other blood-borne infections, injecting drug users (IDUs), who cannot or will not stop injecting drugs, must have access to sterile syringes and injection equipment. However, many laws and regulations prohibit IDUs from purchasing these items. Some states have changed these laws and regulations and have seen positive results.

Physician Prescription of Sterile Syringes to Injection Drug Users

This information sheet discusses physician prescription of sterile syringes to injection drug users (IDUs) who continue to inject, in order to prevent the acquisition and transmission of HIV and other blood-borne diseases. Physician prescription of sterile syringes will not only help IDUs receive sterile syringes legally, but also can create links to other health care and social services that IDUs would not normally seek out. The example is given of a progam in Rhode Island that is examining the feasiblity of physician prescription in a community setting.

Action Plan for the Prevention, Care, & Treatment of Viral Hepatitis: Updated 2014-2016

This report is a cross-agency action plan to confront the significant cause of viral hepatitis morbidity and mortality. Multiple federal agencies identified strategic actions to be undertaken beginning in 2014 and continuing through 2016. This report is meant to articulate robust and dynamic steps for improving viral hepatitis prevention and the care and treatment available to infected individuals.