Nearly 3 million Australians on opioids don't get told they impair driving
Research by Dr John Gillett shows doctors and pharmacists often fail to warn that opioid painkillers impair safe driving.
Cancer survivor Suellen Kirkegaard was prescribed strong painkillers after immunotherapy left her with arthritis, joint pain and recurring pancreatitis. Months later she learned from a palliative care doctor that opioids impair driving safety.
Kirkegaard had no idea despite taking them daily. Research by Dr John Gillett, a Toowoomba palliative care doctor, found this gap is widespread.
Nearly 3 million Australians get opioids yearly, but doctors and pharmacists routinely fail to explain they cause heavy drowsiness and mental dulling. Some pharmacists thought patients would figure it out themselves.
Many GPs had not received training on how opioids affect driving. Younger patients especially wanted clear guidance: can we drive or take kids to school on these drugs?
The answer was not being given.
- nearly 3 million Australians
- Annual opioid prescriptions
- Dr John Gillett, Toowoomba
- Researcher
- Suellen Kirkegaard
- Patient case
Why it mattersPatients on opioids may be driving impaired without knowing, risking crashes, injuries and deaths they could have prevented with honest medical advice.
Corroborated bytheage.com.au·watoday.com.au
