Publications

Degenhardt L, Larance B, Mathers BM, Azim T, Kamarulzaman A, Mattick R, Panda S, Toufik A, Tyndall M, Wiessing L, Wodak A, on behalf of the Reference Group to the United Nations on HIV and Injecting Drug Use.

A significant number of people inject opioids manufactured by pharmaceutical companies. These are intended for medical use, but at some point in the chain between production and prescribed consumption, they are diverted for what is termed extra-medical use. This report reviews the extent of pharmaceutical opioid injection around the world and the consequent harms. Strategies to reduce these harms are explored.