HOW IS IT POSSIBLE THAT PHARMACIES KEEP AND DISPENSE POISONS?

Yes, Pharmacies keep and dispense poisons when prescribed for a patient by a recognized and an appropriate prescriber! In addition, Pharmacies have a “Poisons Register” where the “receiver” signs for the poisons he or she receives and the prescription sheets are kept back there for record purposes.

Poisons are also known as controlled medicines. Poisons are drugs or therapeutic agents – commonly understood to include narcotics, with a potential for abuse or addiction, which is held under strict governmental control and laws.

Typical examples of drugs you can find in the Poisons cupboards include Diazepam (Valium-5), Bromazepam (Lexotan), Carbamazepine (Tegretol), Flunitrazepam (Refunol); Tramadol and Codeine preparations are also included.

Like alcohol, these drugs are known to have effects on the brain and affect behaviour. They often make frequent users develop some kind of dependence on them and as such find it hard to live normal lives without the use of these drugs. When users and abusers try to quit using the drugs, they experience harsh and unpleasant side effects. Furthermore, these drugs when used frequently lead to use of higher doses to achieve results when the usual doses fail to produce desired effects. With higher doses come more hazardous effects on the body and often leading to organ dysfunction and untimely death. Drug abusers often engage in crimes and lives and valuable property are lost as a result.

Daily consequences of Drug abuse and misuse:

1. Adverse effects on the body

2. Dependence and difficulty to live normal drug-free lives

3. Waste of money

4. Engagement in crime and consequent arrest or death through violence or accidents

5. Neuropsychiatric and behavioural disorders often leading to madness

6. Loss of self esteem

7. Loss of job and poverty 

8. Diseases (such as HIV/AIDS)/ill health

9. Death, etc

It pays to live a Drug-free life! Always seek the guidance of your doctor for your treatment and for enquiries about drugs, see a pharmacist.