Over the Counter Medicines and Driving

Driving is affected not only by the use of illegal drugs, but in some cases by prescription medicines and over the counter drugs. It was decided to plan a campaign that would address this issue.

The campaign was planned in three distinct phases. The first saw the launch of a generic poster and stickers highlighting the effects of medicines in general and these were distributed to pharmacists throughout Scotland. The second phase targeted cold remedies and the third highlighted the risks associated with hay-fever remedies and anti-histamines. Poster and labels were distributed via pharmacists, health trusts and Road Safety Units in Summer 2005, and a liaision was established with the Chief Pharmaceutical Adviser with a view to future campaigning on this issue.

A medicines and driving factsheet was produced to support this campaign.