Change to Land Transport Act

Change to Land Transport Act good reminder to patients about medicine safety, says Pharmacy Guild

The Pharmacy Guild of New Zealand (the Guild) supports today’s introduction of the Land Transport Amendment Act. The change provides extra protection for the public and raises awareness about taking prescription medication responsibly.

The amendment to the Act means that if a police officer has good cause to suspect that someone is driving while impaired by prescription medication, they can carry out a compulsory impairment test. If the driver fails that test, and a blood sample shows the presence of controlled medication, then the driver may be charged with a new offence termed “driving while impaired”. The penalties for this offence are aligned with those for drink driving.

“As well as being the health professional you see most often, community pharmacists are medicines experts. It is standard practice for community pharmacists to explain to every patient how they should be taking their medication and if there are any risks involved,” says Annabel Young, CEO of the Guild.

“The change to this law highlights the importance of following the instructions and advice of your community pharmacist when they dispense your medication,” says Ms Young.

If the public is in any doubt about whether their prescription medication is safe to use while driving then they should talk to their community pharmacist.

ENDS

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