Psychotropic drugs program returns on July 13th
June 29, 2010An important Rural Health Education Foundation television program about the safe use of commonly prescribed psychotropic drugs will return to the air on Tuesday July 13th.
Psychotropic Drugs: What’s Safe and What’s Not explores the safe use of commonly prescribed anti-depressants, mood stabilisers, anxiolytics, hypnotics and antipsychotic drugs, and examines issues related to their toxicity, interactions, overdose and adverse effects.
The hour-long program, which premiered on the Foundation’s satellite network in August 2008, also deals with questions of compliance and consent, failure to respond to treatment, monitoring, management and contra-indication.
Addressing the high risk of medication misadventure
“Psychotropic drugs are now the most commonly prescribed and, some would say, the most commonly over-prescribed drugs in Australia,” says Rural Health Education Foundation CEO Don Perlgut. “The risk of medication misadventure is often higher with psychotropic drugs, so health professionals need to be vigilant with patients taking them and be aware of the signs and symptoms requiring investigation.”
“This program discusses the identification and reporting of adverse drug reactions as well as their management and prevention, and also considers situations when a prescription may not be the preferred treatment,” Mr Perlgut says.
Program features expert panel discussion
The program features a panel discussion chaired by Dr Geraldine Moses, a Consultant Clinical Pharmacist from Brisbane.
The expert panel includes: Associate Professor Chris Alderman, a Consulting Clinical Pharmacist from the University of South Australia; Ms Christine Culhane, a Pharmacist from the Psychotropic Drug Advisory Service at the Mental Health Research Institute in Melbourne; Dr Anthony Harris, a Psychiatrist from Western Sydney Mental Health Service; and Dr Jonathan Isles, a GP from Hobart.
Program funding
Psychotropic Drugs: What’s Safe and What’s Not is funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing.
Broadcast details
Psychotropic Drugs: What’s Safe and What’s Not will be broadcast across the Rural Health Education Foundation’s satellite television network on Tuesday July 13th at 8.00pm (AEST), with repeats at 8.00pm Perth time that same evening (two hours later) and 12.30pm on Friday July 16th.
Also available on DVD and via web-streaming
DVD copies of this program are available for purchase via our website. The program is also available free on the Internet for viewing via web-streamed video or listening via an audio podcast.
About psychotropic drug use in Australia
In recent years there have been major advances with psychotropic drugs, which have become virtually the first line of treatment for psychiatric, mood and behavioural problems, but there are still also many problems associated with their use.
More information
For more information about the Psychotropic Drugs program - including presenter details and associated educational resources - go to the online program summary, or contact the Foundation.