McKenna's Pharmacology for Nursing, 2e

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P A R T 1  Introduction to nursing pharmacology

Drug Information Network provides a central point for information on drug and alcohol. Go to www. adin.com.au to find information for teens, parents and healthcare professionals; the latest information on the hottest fads in illicit drugs; research on dealing with drug abuse problems; and links to sites for identifying unknown drugs, community resources and laws. For the New Zealand National Drug Policy and available information, go to www.ndp.govt.nz/moh.nsf/indexcm/ ndp-policyactionplans-policy. PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT In March 2008, news services across the US reported studies showing that many prescription drugs had been found in the drinking water of various large cities. These studies showed ground and watershed contamination with many pharmaceutical products. The levels of these drugs were small, but the question was raised about what this would mean for the future and for the people, animals and crops that were being affected by the presence of these drugs. The problem is quite real. People get a prescription and then get switched to a different drug. Some people end up with extra pills at the end of a prescription because they did not follow the dosing guidelines exactly. Many people store these extra pills and end up with a medicine cabinet full of prescription drugs. In the past, people would often just flush these extras down the toilet, where they would enter the water system. Some people just threw them out, where they would eventually enter the ground of various landfills or would be diverted for illicit use by drug seekers going through garbage sites. With these things in mind and the push to protect the environment, the National Return and Disposal of Unwanted Medicines Limited was established in Australia. Go to www.returnmed.com.au for more information. Medicines New Zealand (www. medicinesnz.co.nz) provides the overarching framework for desired outcomes for the medicines system in New Zealand. It provides a common strategic direction to draw together the agencies and stakeholders that make its medicines system. This strategy is intended to inform decision making over the long-term and to deliver a world-class medicines system for New Zealanders and includes policies relating to proper drug disposal. It is important to teach people how to dispose of drugs properly. Encourage people to clean out their medicine cabinet at least yearly and to properly dispose of the drugs that they are no longer using. CHAPTER SUMMARY ■■ In the 21st century, drugs pose new challenges for people and healthcare providers, including

information overload, demands for specific treatments, increased access to self-care systems and financial pressure to provide cost-effective care. ■■ The mass media bombard consumers with medical reviews, research updates and advertising for prescription drugs. If the use of a drug is stated, the adverse effects and cautions must also be stated. If the use is not stated, the drug advertisement is free to use any images and suggestions to sell the drug. ■■ Increased access to the Internet and World Wide Web has increased consumer access to drug information, advertising and even purchasing without a mediator of this information. Determining the reliability of an Internet site is a challenge for the consumer and the healthcare provider. ■■ OTC drugs and herbal and alternative therapies allow people to make medical decisions and self-treat many common signs and symptoms. Problems arise when they are used inappropriately, when they interact with prescription drugs or when they mask signs and symptoms, making diagnosis difficult. ■■ Off-label uses of drugs occur when a drug has been released and is available for use. The use of a drug for an indication that is not approved by the TGA or MEDSAFE commonly occurs in paediatric and in psychiatric medicine, in which testing is limited or made ineffective by individual differences. ■■ Cost comparison is a major consideration in the use of many drugs. ■■ Home-based care is one of the most rapidly growing areas of medical care. People are increasingly more responsible for managing their medical regimens from home with dependence on home health providers and teaching and support from knowledgeable nurses and midwives. ■■ Illicit drug use can lead to dependence on the drug and physiological changes, causing health problems and changing the body’s response to traditional drugs. ■■ Proper disposal of unused or expired medications can help to protect the environment and may decrease drug-searching behaviours in some situations. Knowing your strengths and weaknesses helps you to study more effectively. Take a PrepU Practice Quiz to find out how you measure up!

ONLINE RESOURCES

An extensive range of additional resources to enhance teaching and learning and to facilitate understanding of this chapter may be found online at the text’s accompanying website, located on thePoint at http://thepoint.lww.com. These include Watch and Learn videos, Concepts in Action animations, journal articles, review questions, case studies, discussion topics and quizzes.