Voice of the voiceless: Stories of Opioid Substitution Prescriptions

Voice of the Voiceless is a co-produced booklet that sets out the rights and responsibilities of people who receive opioid substitution prescriptions (OST) and the pharmacists and pharmacy staff who dispense them.

Created by University of Bristol, the resource is grounded in lived experience and highlights both positive and negative pharmacy encounters. Its aim is to reduce stigma in everyday pharmacy interactions and make harmful experiences less likely in the future.

What the resource covers

• Real-world experiences of people receiving opioid substitution prescriptions

• Common points where stigma shows up in pharmacy settings

• Rights and responsibilities of both patients and pharmacy staff

• Practical guidance to support respectful, non-stigmatising care

What we can learn

• Pharmacy interactions play a critical role in shaping treatment experience and dignity

• Stigma often occurs in routine systems, not just clinical encounters

• Co-produced resources help surface issues professionals may not see

• Clear expectations can reduce conflict and harm on both sides