FOLLOWING a story on Channel 9's A Current Affair this week beating up the issue of patients taking methadone putting drivers at risk from car accidents, Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) national president Shane Jackson has supported Australian pharmacists with some clarity on the subject.
"Patients receiving methadone are receiving treatment, not a fix, and can drive -- and perform other tasks safely -- when they are stabilised on treatment.
"A number of studies show people appropriately treated on methadone -- who are not taking unprescribed drugs or alcohol -- don't have a greater risk of having a car accident," Jackson explained
"Pharmacists are frustrated by the negative external perception towards people who are seeking help and treatment for drug dependency."
Jackson emphasised that pharmacists operate under Standard 16 of PSA's Professional Practice Standards (PPS), delivering harm minimisation services to reduce drug-related harm to the patient and the community.
Included in this standard are opioid substitution treatment and needle and syringe programs.
"Irresponsible and incorrect reporting on drug dependency further deters people seeking life-saving help for drug addiction," the PSA president concluded
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