However, pharmacists should discuss with those patients who are prescribed high dose pain medication how they may be affected by this new law. It is unlikely that many patients will be over the legal limit unless they are a long-term user of pain management medication or suffering from pain that is not treatable with normal doses. In such circumstances, pharmacists should consider whether to advise the patients not to drive when prescribed such medication at such doses. Opiate addicts should also be counselled accordingly.

Any patient prescribed high doses of benzodiazepines should be advised of the dangers of driving whilst taking them. It is likely that such patients will be aware of the impairment potential of their medicine and anyone taking this class of medicine on a regular basis may still be driving, depending on their dosage, tolerance and personal circumstances, so it’s important that they are provided with appropriate advice.