Teen overdoses flag meds safety fears

PHARMACISTS are being urged to remind patients of the need to store their medicine safely, after two teenagers were hospitalised last week following overdosing on prescription pain medicines belonging to one of their parents.

The incident was the second case of students overdosing on prescription medicines at St Stephen’s College on the Gold Coast, in the last 18 month, The Guardian reported.

The early incident occurred when a group of students ingested phenibut.

NPS Medicineswise told Pharmacy Daily that pharmacists should remind parents that regardless of the age of their children, medicines should be kept in a safe place away from children.

“This especially applies to restricted medicines including S8 drugs and drugs of dependence,” a spokesperson said.

“It is important for parents to tell their children about the risks of taking medicines, and that taking medicines not intended for you, can cause unwanted and potentially dangerous side effects.”