The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 268 No 7190 p385-391
23 March 2002

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European Agency for the Evaluation of Medicinal Products (EMEA) (www.emea.eu.int)

Dangers of drug-driving need to be publicised

The British Medical Association is calling for a campaign to increase public awareness about the impact of both legal and illegal drugs on a person's ability to drive.

The BMA says that research is needed to establish effective testing devices, similar to those used for testing drivers for alcohol. Dr Vivienne Nathanson, head of science and ethics, said: "Whatever action the Government takes on drug-driving, it is essential that it is accompanied by a public awareness campaign. People generally accept that you shouldn't drink and drive but probably have no idea about the effects of drugs on their driving ability." She included medicines such as antidepressants, painkillers, antihistamines and cough mixtures as ones that could have an influence on driving ability.

The BMA call comes after a recommendation for the tightening of labelling requirements for dopamine agonists. A review conducted by the European Agency for the Evaluation of Medicinal Products (EMEA) has found that dopamine agonists are, to varying degrees, associated with sleepiness and with episodes suggestive of sudden sleep onset. As a result, it advises that patient information leaflets should include a warning about the possibility of these adverse effects in relation to driving. Further information is available on the EMEA website (www.emea.eu.int).