Media release – Tasmanian Branch of the Pharmacy Guild of Australia, 30 August 2021
RETURN OF UNWANTED MEDICINES – A SAFE WAY TO DISPOSE OF UNWANTED MEDICATIONS SUPPORTING INTERNATIONAL OVERDOSE AWARENESS DAY 2021
Tuesday 31 August is International Overdose Awareness Day. The Tasmanian Branch of the Pharmacy Guild of Australia is supporting the work of Alcohol Tobacco and Other Drugs Council of Tasmania (ATDC) in raising awareness of unintended overdose in Tasmania, by encouraging more people to return any unwanted medications to their local community pharmacy to be safely disposed of.
Branch President Helen O’Byrne said that “we know more Tasmanians lose their life to unintended overdose than in car accidents. Prescription medications, particularly those for pain or anxiety disorders, if not used correctly can result in unintended overdoses which can lead to hospitalisation or death.”
All community pharmacies are able to take any unwanted medications from people, including medications which are no longer required or have expired. Ms O’Byrne said that local community pharmacists plays an important role in helping people to manage their medications safely.
“Often people wonder why their pharmacist askes the same questions about their medications each time they get their prescription filled”, Ms O’Byrne said. “It is to make sure that the person understands the nature of the medication they are taking, why they are taking it, and importantly to make sure that the medication is being taken safely.”
Some medications require pharmacists to use precautionary labels, designed to highlight specific concerns about the medication prescribed.
“Typically the label will highlight that the medication can cause drowsiness or should not be taken with alcohol, or combined with other medications”, Ms O’Byrne said. “Pharmacists counsel people each time the medication is dispensed to ensure they follow the advice on the labels which is there as an ongoing reminder of any extra dangers associated with that particular medication.”
It is important to remember that your medication should never be given to someone else or left where it could be accidentally taken by a child.
Ms O’Byrne’s advice to anyone who has medications that are no longer needed is “please don’t keep them in the house or put them in the bin – bring them to your local community pharmacy where they can be disposed of in a free, environmentally safe way through the Return of Unwanted Medicines (RUM) Program.”
The RUM program is a national not for profit company funded by the Commonwealth Government through the Department of Health. The returned medicines are disposed of by high-temperature incineration, which is in accordance with regulatory and EPA requirements. Last financial year saw over 22,000 kilograms of unwanted medications returned to pharmacies across Tasmania for safe disposal through the RUM program.
Media release – Alcohol, Tobacco and other Drugs Council of Tasmania, 30 August 2021
Tasmanians come together to raise overdose awareness
The Alcohol, Tobacco and other Drugs Council of Tasmania and their members have been inundated with thousands of origami cranes for the third year running, after calling on members of the community to help fold cranes for International Overdose Awareness Day.
Accidental drug overdose impacts Tasmanians of all backgrounds, with new data expected to be released in Australia’s Annual Overdose Report from the Penington Institute, on 31 August.
Alcohol, Tobacco and other Drugs Council CEO Alison Lai said the response from the community shows that awareness of overdose is increasing in Tasmania.
“We’ve been blown away by the support for our International Overdose Awareness campaign yet again, with thousands of cranes added to the Hobart art installation over the past week,” Mrs Lai said.
Hobart’s artwork is expected to get even bigger on Tuesday, along with the art installations in the North and North West.
“Support from the community has been so strong over the past couple of years that we’re pleased to be working with our members City Mission, Anglicare Tas and Youth Family and Community Connections who are hosting events in Launceston and Devonport.
“This increase in community involvement and awareness is important as we expect the latest Overdose Report to confirm the trends of previous years, showing overdose continues to impact Tasmanians from all walks of life.
“Prescription medicines are a particular risk for unintentional overdose, so I would encourage everyone to have a conversation with their family, friends, doctor or pharmacist,” Mrs Lai said.
Observed on the 31st of August every year, International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD) seeks to create better understanding of overdose, reduce the stigma of drug-related deaths, and create change that reduces the harms associated with drug use.
This year, the ATDC is partnering with Anglicare Tasmania, Youth Family and Community Connections and Launceston City Mission to simultaneously unveil 3 interactive artworks.
We are inviting Tasmanians to fold cranes for overdose awareness, and bring them to our events in Devonport, Launceston or Hobart on the 31st of August, International Overdose Awareness Day.
