Victorian Needle and Syringe Program (NSP)

Sharing a used needle or other injecting equipment is one of the most common ways of transmitting blood-borne viruses such as HIV and hepatitis B and C. The Victorian Needle and Syringe Program (NSP) is a public health initiative that aims to minimise the spread of such blood-borne viruses among people who inject drugs and into the wider community.

In Australia, NSPs have prevented thousands of cases of infection among people who inject drugs and, in turn, protected the wider community. Community pharmacies can apply to become an NSP provider by contacting NSP.orders@dhhs.vic.gov.au

For more information on the requirements of an NSP provider please see the NSP Handbook.

Note: Pharmacies that are NSP providers can return injecting equipment for collection and disposal through the program. This includes used injecting equipment generated from vaccinations administered in pharmacies. More information is available in the NSP Handbook for Workers.

Useful links

Needle and Syringe Program (Department of Health, Victoria)

NSP Handbook for Workers (Penington Institute)

Further information

If you have any questions or require support on NSP provision or alcohol and other drugs queries, please contact the Penington Institute on 9650 0699 or at info@penington.org.au