Medicines have an influence on the ability to drive

Drivers ignore the influence of drugs on their ability to drive

06/12/2013

The „Day of the pharmacy“ on the 13th of June is the motto „First ask, then drive“. The Federal Association of German Pharmacists Associations (ABDA) wants to draw attention to the impairment of fitness to drive through drugs in cooperation with the General German Automobile Club (ADAC). A poll published today by the Forsa Institute on behalf of the ABDA made it clear once again that many motorists underestimate the influence of over-the-counter medications.

Risk of drugs known but underestimated
According to the Forsa survey among 3,000 respondents, almost every German citizen knows that drugs can impair their ability to drive, but the influence of over-the-counter medicines is underestimated. „For sleep and sedatives still count on 96% of German citizens with an impairment in road traffic. But only half of respondents (52%) are aware that anti-allergic drugs can affect their ability to drive“, writes the ABDA. Around 66 percent of the participants are aware of the importance of cough medicine and cold remedies in road traffic. A little more, it is anti-migrant medicines (75 percent) and eye medicines (81 percent).

According to the Forsa survey, 67 percent of Germans have already been informed about the impairment of medication. The sources of knowledge include leaflets (72 percent), doctors (49 percent) and pharmacists (31 percent). Rarely are the internet, newspapers or magazines or friends or relatives asked for advice. „One third of respondents (33%) have not been actively informed about the risks of medication.“

Signs of side effects, according to ABDA, are fatigue, dizziness, drowsiness, blurred vision or restlessness. Such sequelae result in particular from the intake of sleeping pills and tranquillizers, antidepressants and eye drops. Medications for allergies often lead to fatigue. „The results show once again: Even with over-the-counter medicines the consultation by the pharmacist is unavoidable“, explains ABDA President Schmidt.

Day of the pharmacy wants to draw attention to risk
Every day about four million people go to a pharmacy to pick up medicines, writes the ABDA. Many of them come by car or motorcycle and underestimate the influence of the drugs on their ability to drive. Even clear limits, such as in the case of alcohol are missing, each driver must estimate the risk independently or in case of doubt with legal consequences. „In order to draw attention to the risks as well as the benefits of medicines, we dedicate tomorrow's pharmacy to the subject of medicines and road traffic“, explains Schmidt. Therefore, the ABDA recommends obtaining information about possible safety risks at an early stage.

French study attributed 3 percent of all accidents to medication
As early as 2010, a study by French scientists found that around three percent of accidents are caused by medication. Last year, the Automobile Club also warned motorists protection (KS) against taking medicines for the treatment of influenza. They lead to symptoms such as tiredness and limited attention, which have a serious impact on the driving ability of those affected. Like the ABDA, therefore, the KS advises all patients, „study the leaflet carefully or consult the doctor or pharmacist for the side effects“. (Lb)

Image: Willi Doerr