Pharmacists key in safety
June 29, 2010
THE Pharmacy Guild of New
Zealand has voiced concerns over
the current general public
perception that over the counter
medications, such as paracetamol
are completely safe and can be
taken totally risk free.
The comments come on the back
of reports in the NZ media that two
toddlers in the past three months
have suffered liver failure after
overdosing on paracetamol, with
both requiring urgent liver transplants.
“Access to these medicines is
currently unlimited in
supermarkets,” said NZ Guild
President and community
pharmacist, Ian Johnson.
“It is of great concern to the
Guild that paracetamol is easily
accessible without the professional
advice of a trained health
professional,” he added.
In justifying its concern, the Guild
said that it was “optimistic” to think
that instructions printed on OTC
packaging could provide all the
advice that an individual patient may
need before taking any medication.
“What many people don’t know is
that paracetamol is present in
multiple over-the-counter products
and it is very easy to take more
than the recommended daily dose,”
Johnson said.
In light of the recent overdoses,
the Guild has said that rather than
taking medicines with blind faith,
patients should consult with their
community pharmacist to ensure
that both they and their children
take the appropriate dosage that is
safe for their individual needs.
“It is essential to talk to your
community pharmacist before you
take any medicines,” said Johnson.
“We are trained to assess the
patient’s condition and recommend
safe and effective treatments. We
ensure patients receive the right
medicines for the right reason,” he
added.
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