Expert speaker to examine paracetamol poisoning risks at Pharmacy Connect

One of Australia’s leading experts on paracetamol poisoning has joined the speaker line-up at Pharmacy Connect to provide an in-depth look at self-harm from intentional paracetamol misuse in relation to the current controls.

Dr Rose Cairns, Director of Research at the New South Wales Poisons Information Centre, will be presenting on this topic during the Harm Minimisation Workshop at Pharmacy Connect on Thursday 1 September.

Pharmacy Connect is The Pharmacy Guild of Australia’s key event in the second half of the year and is being held on 1-3 September at the Hilton Sydney.

Dr Cairns will address the high prevalence of accidental and deliberate paracetamol poisoning in Australia, which has resulted in the TGA commissioning a report by independent experts on the matter.

Harm minimisation workshop facilitator and community pharmacist, Angelo Pricolo, said pharmacists should not be alarmed but informed, as the report may substantially change the paracetamol landscape in Australia.

“There are four Poisons Information Centres (PICs) in Australia which receive around 220,000 calls per year, 8,000 of which are related to paracetamol,” Mr Pricolo said.

“Paracetamol is the number one drug PICs are called about, with twice as many calls as any other drug.”
“As paracetamol sales are relevant to all pharmacies in Australia, this session is a must-attend.”

During her workshop session Dr Cairns, who provided input into the TGA report, will outline ways pharmacists can prevent harm from paracetamol poisoning.

A Minister appointed member on the TGA’s Advisory Committee on Chemicals Scheduling (ACCS), Dr Cairns also undertakes clinical work at the Poisons Centre as a Senior Specialist in Poisons Information and sits on the editorial board for Clinical Toxicology and TOXINZ.

She will be joined at the workshop by other expert speakers who will explore the use of licit and illicit drugs (and habits) and the mechanisms available to pharmacists to keep communities safe.

For further details on this workshop and to register, visit pharmacy-connect.com.au.

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