The drug ‘Ice’ is all over the news here in Australia as recent figures show a doubling in its use over the last 12 months. It is a destructive highly addictive amphetamine and concern is a point where appropriate funding is being sought within the budget to protect the community.
Whilst the majority of Australian pharmacies use the STOP real time recording system for reporting of pseudoephedrine sales it is not compulsory for all Australian jurisdictions. A uniform approach nationwide would allow for better data collection and a platform to begin to deliver a statistics based solution delivered by the pharmacy sector.
An interim report is due by the middle of the year.
How do you think the epidemic can be handled?
Is compulsory use of STOP a good start? Or is it too little?
How can community pharmacy tackle the problem better?