US-style methylamphetamine awareness scheme planned
Pharmacy staff will soon be offered a modified training programme that originates from the US to raise awareness of the risk of pseudoephedrine- and ephedrine-containing products being used to make illegal methylamphetamine. The programme will meet a specification
agreed by a range of pharmacy bodies (PJ, 30 June, p762).
Rob Darracott, chief executive of the Company Chemists’ Association,
told The Journal that the course material had been adapted from the US
LearnSomething MethGuard programme and was now being prepared by LearnSomething
as an internet-based awareness course. It would also be available in
a paper format and as a CD-ROM because not all pharmacies are internet-enabled,
Mr Darracott said.
Mr Darracott said: “The circumstances in the US and the UK are
different, but the issues around awareness are the same.”
CCA member companies, plus the Association of Independent Multiple Pharmacies,
intend to use the programme and it will also be made available to independent
pharmacies through other associations and wholesalers.
Colette McCreedy, head of practice at the National Pharmacy Association,
said that the NPA was also working on awareness programmes. One, aimed
at pharmacists, is being distributed to pharmacy superintendents now,
while the other, for pharmacy staff, will be available in two weeks’ time.
A full training package that meets the agreed specifications will follow.
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