Study looks at MySafe machines’ advantages and challenges

MySafe machines offer a unique way for people who use opioids to access a safe supply of pharmaceutical-grade opioid drugs. The machines dispense the drugs directly using a biometric scanner so that people using them don’t need to go to a pharmacy or clinic to get hydromorphone tablets. A recent study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal looks at MySafe’s barriers, advantages and outcomes. Researchers interviewed 46 people who had been using the machines in Vancouver for at least one month. Read: B.C. marks 7th anniversary of overdose emergency with grim record statistics To use MySpace, patients must regularly use opioids, have a history of overdose, and have fentanyl detected in urine drug screens. A local pharmacy dispenses the drugs into pre-packages daily doses that are then put into the machine. The patients have their handprints scanned by the devices and are dispensed one day’s prescription. Overall, participants who used the machines said they used less illicit drugs, had a lower risk of overdose, and improved their health and well-being. They also had more money to spend on other needs like food and clothing and less need to engage in criminal activity to get money to buy drugs. Though most reduced the use of drugs they purchased on the street, only a few stopped using drugs purchased on the street entirely. Read: Ottawa paramedic leader says drug supply getting more toxic amid overdose crisis People who used the machines said that convenience and accessibility, not having consequences for missing doses or specific times, judgement-free doses, and non-witnessed dosing were advantages. They also appreciated having the ability to accumulate doses to use if they wanted to leave the city, for days when they used a higher dose or if the machine broke. Participants told them that the program was convenient and that having around-the-clock access through the machines was helpful. They explained that in other clinical and pharmacy settings and opioid agonist therapy programs, some had felt judgement or suffered thanks to strict policies about medication access and consequences for missing doses. They also liked that it was more private, with some describing how taking medication such as methadone in front of other people, such as customers at pharmacies, made them feel embarrassed or ashamed. But there were problems as well. Technological issues with the dispensing machines were sometimes a challenge. Some said that needing to be near the specific machine they used affected their ability to choose where they lived and worked (there are three MySpace machines in Vancouver). And others said the doses weren’t high enough to manage withdrawal or that the prescribed medications didn’t match the strength of illicit opioids. Read: What is xylazine? A medical toxicologist explains how it increases overdose risk, and why Narcan can still save a life

Study looks at MySafe machines’ advantages and challenges

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