The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 280 No 7493 p301
15 March 2008

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Gwent pharmacies called on to help raise awareness of illegal dealing of medicines

Pharmacy customers in Gwent are being asked to pass on any information they have about individuals involved in dealing prescription medicines and illicit drugs.

Gwent Police has issued pharmacies with 20,000 leaflets asking for people to pass on information about those involved in such illegal activity.

From this week, the pharmacies will be handing out the leaflets when they dispense prescriptions. Information can be given anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Roger Booth, pharmacy officer for Gwent Police, told The Journal that the campaign is a continuation of other work the force has been doing to raise awareness of safety issues around illicit drugs and misuse of prescription drugs. Gwent Police already alerts pharmacists to these issues through its community safety messaging scheme.

Concerns around the dealing of illicit drugs have been recognised by pharmacists and the public for some time, Mr Booth said. In addition, a number of prescription medicines have considerable value on the street, including some used to treat children, such as methylphenidate, as well as diazepam and temazepam.

Gwent Police is now trying to raise awareness of issues relating to misuse of prescription drugs and has welcomed the fact that all pharmacists have embraced the scheme, he said.

Mr Booth also explained that other pharmacy products may be used in the preparation of illicit drugs, such as pseudoephedrine and ephedrine, used to manufacture the Class A Controlled Drug methylamphetamine, and ammonia, used to wash crack cocaine.

Pharmacists should alert police to any concerns they have that substances may be being used by those dealing prescription and illicit drugs, Mr Booth stressed.

Paul Gimson, chief executive of Community Pharmacy Wales, commented: “[Community pharmacists’] expertise, coupled with community pharmacy being located in the heart of Gwent communities, means their involvement in an initiative like this could have a real impact on illegal drug use.”