The Scottish Government has correctly referred to drug deaths in Scotland as a national shame. Parliamentary committees should scrutinise the government’s mission to reduce these deaths, in particular looking at the idea of a national drugs service that provides stigma free care 7 days a week and the role pharmacies can play in this service. Pharmacists are well placed to provide this service and be a key practitioner in a coherent national drugs programme that provides the same standard of care for service users across the country. Community pharmacists often see a patient every day and can support patients through other ailments potentially related to their drug use, including mental health, oral health and dermatological conditions. In addition to the services provided at the pharmacy, patients can be signposted towards support by other providers.
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