Peterboroughadvancedmotorists.co.uk

AM I FIT TO DRIVE?A new drug driving law comes into force on 2 March 2015 WHY IS THIS
AN IMPORTANT ISSUE?
› The new drug driving law that comes into force on 2 March 2015 will make it easier for the police to tackle those who drive after taking illegal drugs or abuse medicinal drugs. › The existing offence is driving while impaired (performance affected) by drugs and the police have to prove that the drug has caused this impairment.
WHY PARTNER WITH US?
› Under the new offence the police need only obtain a blood sample › This is a great opportunity for you and your organisation to be part and show that certain drugs are present above specified limits in of something big, and more importantly, worthwhile.
› Your staff will be better prepared and ready to support your › Some people use the drugs included in the new offence customers when this new drug driving law comes into force.
legitimately following the advice of a healthcare professional and we need to reassure them that they will be able to drive without › We can offer you free materials to support the campaign. This fear of being prosecuted.
could include guidance for your pharmacy teams and advice for your patients either online or within your pharmacy.
INTRODUCING THE POLICY
The new offence is of driving with certain controlled drugs in the body, including some prescription drugs, above specified limits. The new rules will make it an offence, like drink-driving, to be driving while over the specified limits for each of the 16 specified drugs.
› Mobile screening devices will detect cannabis and cocaine only, with further devices being made available to police in due course. However, if evidence of impairment is found the ‘impairment' offence will still apply. If a blood test reveals any specified drug above the specified limit the new offence (section 5A) could then › Unlike the existing ‘impairment' offence patients who are able to be applied without the need to present evidence of impairment drive safely will have a medical defence if they take a medicine included in the new offence and were above the specified limit › The limits for the vast majority of the 8 medicinal drugs included but followed the advice either from a healthcare professional or in the new offence are above the normal doses. printed in an accompanying leaflet.
› Patients who take legitimately supplied medicines should keep evidence with them to speed up any investigation into the medical defence and reduce the inconvenience to the patient in case the police stop them.
MEDICINAL DRUGS
INCLUDED IN THE NEW OFFENCE
Following advice from a panel of medical and scientific experts the
8 drugs most associated with medical uses included in the new offence
and set at a level where a road safety risk arises are:
› Clonazepam, Diazepam, Flunitrazepam, Lorazepam, Oxazepam,
› Methadone and morphine are also included as the opiate/opioid based medication will metabolise (chemically change) and could show a positive blood result. › Amphetamine and other substances such as selegiline, which can metabolise into amphetamine and are sometimes used for medicinal purposes, is also intended to be included with a limit set above normal doses if parliament can pass a separate amphetamine regulation in time for the commencement of the new offence.
WE ESTIMATE THAT AROUND 19 MILLION
PRESCRIPTIONS A YEAR ARE ISSUED FOR THE DRUGS
THAT ARE INCLUDED IN THE NEW OFFENCE
› The majority of those taking medicines in accordance with the advice of a healthcare
professional and/or printed in the accompany leaflet are unlikely to be above the 19 MILLION
specified limit and therefore will not be affected.
› We must provide information to healthcare professionals who prescribe and supply these medicines.
› We need to explain that some medicines can metabolise into one of these drugs and others, such as the opioids will metabolise into morphine. › Some of these users will be safe to drive and providing accurate information will protect their quality of life.
› They should carry evidence of their prescription when they drive.
› The pharmacist, as well as doctors, can play a very important role by telling their patients about the medicines they are taking.
ILLEGAL DRUGS INCLUDED
IN THE NEW OFFENCE
The testing limit for the 8 drugs included that are more associated with
illegal use such as cannabis and cocaine, has been set very low so even
small doses are likely to test positive.
THE TESTING LIMIT
Some illegal drugs have very limited medicinal uses but these are rare and they would not usually be obtained from a pharmacist. Examples of use amongst those deemed fit to drive include:› Ketamine which is very occasionally used in pain management clinics for chronic pain relief, and › Sativex a cannabis based medicine a multiple sclerosis sufferer is sometimes prescribed to reduce spasticity. HAS BEEN SET
OUR COMMUNICATIONS PLANS
COMMUNICATIONS PLANS
Two distinct strands: ILLEGAL DRUG DRIVING
› Illegal drug driving› Medicinal drugs – ‘Am I fit to drive?' To deter those that take drugs from driving by increasing their belief that they will be caught, convicted and get a significant penalty for a drug drive conviction.
Inform and raise the public's awareness about the changes to legislation by using:› PR› radio spots and partnerships › digital – film content, online advertising, blogger / vlogger › social media engagement, and › washroom adverts in pubs and clubs. KEY MESSAGES FOR PATIENTS
› Certain medicines may affect your ability to drive.
› It will remain an offence to drive while your ability is impaired by drugs and, if in doubt,
you should not drive. › A new offence of driving with certain controlled drugs, including some prescription drugs and a number of over the counter medicines, above specified limits will come into force on 2 March 2015. › The new law provides a medical defence if your ability to drive is not impaired and you are taking a medicine in accordance with the advice of a healthcare professional and/or the information in accompanying patient information leaflet. › Ask a member of the pharmacy team or your doctor (GP) for more information. › Always follow the advice of a healthcare professional and read the accompanying leaflet when you take your medicine.
› New information is starting to appear on the label and in the accompanying patient information leaflet of those medicines covered in the new regulations and for other similar medicines which may also be picked up in testing for the new offence.
TIMINGS AND REGIONS
On request Department for Transport can supply: › We already offer guidance to help GPs and pharmacists prepare patients and raise awareness of the changes.
› guidance for healthcare professionals › Partnership activity is planned for February and March 2015, to reassure and raise awareness alongside the THINK! Activity.
› consumer leaflet, stickers, shelf displays and posters (creative well received in past and approved by BMA / MPA / MHRA) › Further partner support in 2015/16 would also be welcomed to keep the message fresh and act as a reminder. › online web banners and web copy, and › We will introduce the new offence in England and Wales only on › media opportunities.
2 March 2015. It will be introduced in Scotland at a later date to be confirmed by the Scottish Government.
ENGLAND AND WALES
ON 2 MARCH 2015
HOW WE CAN WORK TOGETHER
ARE WE TALKING TO
1 . Briefing your pharmacy team.
2 . Digital activity – video / banner displays / web copy / social media.
› The Medicines Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) who have asked pharmaceutical companies to make changes to 3 . In store activity – stickers / leaflets / posters.
patient information leaflets and packaging.
› British National Formulary.
› GP bulletins.
› Patient support groups.
› Medical and pharmacy professional and trade bodies.
CONTACT US:
Laura Hill – Strategic Communications Manager
0207 944 3166 /

Source: http://peterboroughadvancedmotorists.co.uk/newsite/images/DrugDrivingLaw.pdf