Clean, safe injecting equipment is available if you need it
Taking drugs can have serious consequences for your health. If you use drugs that rely on needles and share them, you can increase your risk of getting a blood-borne illness like hepatitis or HIV.
You can get clean needles and syringes at your nearest pharmacy and dispose of old ones safely. This can help protect you against disease.
Find out more about needle exchange and how your local pharmacy can help.
Reviewed by:
Published: October 2025
Next review: October 2028
Viruses like HIV, hepatitis B and C can be transmitted through direct contact with blood. When you share needles, you puncture your skin and increase the risk of them entering your bloodstream.
Using clean needles and syringes can help you avoid getting an infectious, lifelong illness.
You should never share your needles with others and carry your own supply.1
Some viral infections are transmitted through bodily fluids, including blood, semen and vaginal fluids. In the UK, HIV, hepatitis B and C are the most common blood-borne infections.
A condition that can cause short-term or chronic illness. The virus that causes it attacks the liver. Although most people will be able to clear it on their own, roughly 3 to 5 out of 100 adults will develop long-term illness. There is no cure for the disease currently. The symptoms can be managed using antiviral medications.
To prevent the spread of the disease, people are encouraged to get hepatitis B vaccinations. They usually occur during childhood at 8-, 12-, and 16-weeks of age. Some people may need booster injections. These include healthcare workers, people who have been exposed to hepatitis B and people living with kidney failure.
Is a condition that can cause liver damage. It can be short- or long-term. However, most people affected by it in the UK can access treatment to clear it. Roughly 90% of people with hepatitis C are cured with treatment. Patients will receive either pegylated interferon (a weekly injection) and ribavirin (a capsule or tablet) to prevent the virus from multiplying in their bodies.
There is no vaccine available to prevent hepatitis C, and the condition doesn’t cause noticeable symptoms until significant liver damage has occurred. It’s important to make conscious lifestyle choices like avoiding sharing needles or razors to prevent it.
The HIV virus attacks cells in your body, making it increasingly difficult for you to avoid infection and illness. Although it can initially cause flu-like symptoms, most people do not know when they get it. There is no cure for HIV, but it can be managed with antiretroviral treatments. These are tablets that must be taken daily. If used as advised, people with HIV will have undetectable levels of the virus in their blood.
HIV infection can be prevented by taking pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) or using condoms during sex. There are sexual health clinics across the UK that can help you learn more about HIV prevention.
Most UK pharmacies will be able to assist you with injecting drugs using a clean needle. They will also be able to dispose of the needle so that you are not at risk of using it again or injuring yourself with it. This is part of the needle exchange programme.1
You can contact your city council to find needle exchange points in your local area. FRANK, the UK’s national drug advisory service, can also help you find clean needles.
Needle exchange services are always free, private and confidential. If you speak to a member of staff at your local pharmacy, they can help you access equipment for injecting, like needles, syringes, citric or vitamin C.
You’ll always be treated with respect and understanding during your time in the pharmacy.
Some pharmacies also offer naloxone. This is a medication that can be used to reverse the effects of a drug overdose. You can speak to your pharmacist about its availability in your area.
If you or someone you know has taken an overdose, you must seek immediate medical help. Call 999 or visit your nearest A&E.
No. If you decide to get clean needles or dispose of old ones at pharmacies, you won’t be pressured to start treatment for substance misuse. Even though pharmacists are equipped to help you manage your substance problem, they will focus on providing you with safe needles unless you ask for further assistance.
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Needle exchange services at your local pharmacy
We offer needle exchange at our pharmacies across the UK. If you are looking for support with substance use challenges, we are here to help.
Our team are here to listen without judgment and help you get access to safe, clean needles. We also offer a range of drug use help that you can access in-store.
