68
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
/
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
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
These include Watch and
Learn videos, Concepts in Action animations, journal articles,
review questions, case studies, discussion topics and quizzes.
