T he PH AR M AC Y G UI LD o f AU ST R ALI A

Transportation Safety & Potentially Sedating or Impairing Medications

Jenny Bergin

The Pharmacy Guild of Australia

The Australian Regulatory & Professional Partnership

T he PH AR M AC Y G UI LD o f AU ST R ALI A

Introduction

Abundant evidence that some drugs particularly social or illicit drugs (alcohol, cannabis & amphetamines) impair driving performance andrisk of road accidents

Approximately 25% of 3400 drivers killed in Australia in road accidents had detectable cannabis, stimulants opioids or psychoactive drugs

Of 250 frequently prescribed drugs 25% are either known or suspected of being capable of impairing users’ driving skills & 120 drugs available in Australia require sedation warnings

T he PH AR M AC Y G UI LD o f AU ST R ALI A

Regulatory Framework

Prescription Only Medicines

Required to be labelled by pharmacist when dispensing

1. THIS MEDICINE MAY CAUSEDROWSINESS AND MAYINCREASE THE EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL.IF AFFECTED DO NOT DRIVE A MOTORVEHICLE OR OPERATE MACHINERY

1A. THIS PREPARATION IS TO AID SLEEP.DROWSINESS MAY CONTINUE THEFOLLOWING DAY. IF AFFECTED DO NOTDRIVE OR OPERATE MACHINERY. AVOID ALCOHOL.

12. THIS MEDICINE MAY AFFECT MENTALALERTNESS AND/OR COORDINATION.IF AFFECTED, DO NOT DRIVE AMOTOR VEHICLE OR OPERATEMACHINERY.

T he PH AR M AC Y G UI LD o f AU ST R ALI A

Regulatory Framework (cont.)

Non prescription medicines Pharmacist Only Medicines Pharmacy Medicines

Clearly written on the container by the manufacturer(A condition of the drug’s registration)

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Professional Framework

Australian Pharmaceutical Formulary & Handbook (APF) Counselling Notes

Cautionary & Advisory Labels Dispensing Software Professional Standards & Guidelines, Shelf Talkers,

Quality Care Pharmacy Program (QCPP) Information for Consumers

Consumers Medicines Information (CMI) Pharmacy Self Care

• Drugs and Driving Fact Card

T he PH AR M AC Y G UI LD o f AU ST R ALI A

T he PH AR M AC Y G UI LD o f AU ST R ALI A

Consumer Medicines Information(An Extract from Temaze CMI)

Things you must do while you are taking Temaze - Tell all the doctors, dentists and pharmacists who are treating you that you are taking

Temaze. - Before starting any new medicine, tell your doctor or pharmacist that you are taking

Temaze. - If you become pregnant while taking Temaze, tell your doctor. Things you must not do Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how Temaze affects you. Temaze may cause drowsiness or dizziness in some people. Even though you take Temaze at night, you may still be drowsy or dizzy the next day. Make sure you know how Temaze affects you before you drive a car, operate machinery or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are drowsy or dizzy.

T he PH AR M AC Y G UI LD o f AU ST R ALI A

Counselling Notes

T he PH AR M AC Y G UI LD o f AU ST R ALI A

Driving Fact Card

T he PH AR M AC Y G UI LD o f AU ST R ALI A

The way forward