The featured article was based on an extensive review of the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of syringe distribution programmes for injectors, itself conducted to underpin policy recommendations for England from the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE). The most commonly studied programmes are needle (or syringe) exchanges which collect used equipment as well as distributing new sets. Rather than addressing whether such services are effective overall, the review sought to determine which types of programmes are most effective, which additional harm reduction services are helpful, and whether it is beneficial to integrate needle and syringe provision with the prescribing of substitute drugs like methadone to opiate addicts. The main outcomes of interest were impacts on blood borne viral infections such as HIV and hepatitis, and on injecting practices which risk these infections. Other outcomes investigated included entry into treatment and use of health care services.