PSA blasts ACA methadone report

FOLLOWING a story on Channel 9’s A Current Affair this week bea*ng up the issue of pa*ents taking methadone pu_ng drivers at risk from car accidents, Pharmaceu*cal Society of Australia (PSA) na*onal president Shane Jackson has supported Australian pharmacists with some clarity on the subject.

“Pa*ents 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 nega*ve external percep*on towards people who are seeking help and treatment for drug dependency.”

Jackson emphasised that pharmacists operate under Standard

16 of PSA’s Professional Prac*ce Standards (PPS), delivering harm minimisa*on services to reduce drug‐related harm to the pa*ent and the community.

Included in this standard are opioid subs*tu*on treatment and needle and syringe programs.

“Irresponsible and incorrect repor*ng on drug dependency further deters people seeking life‐ saving help for drug addic*on,” the PSA president concluded