THE festive season can be a very busy one. There's shopping, cooking, gift wrapping, entertaining and of course travelling to visit family and friends.
The last thing anyone wants is a problem with medications, but it's not unusual at this busy time as doses get forgotten or medications get left at home when you're travelling.
According to medication management expert Gerard Stevens there are a few simple steps that people can take to plan for a great holiday without the distress of medication problems.
"Safe medications make safe holidays," said Mr Stevens, who is also a pharmacist and founder of medication systems company Webstercare. "Summer is here and a lot of us travel to see relatives for Christmas and the New Year. But what happens if you run out of your medications or lose them?
"If you're on medications, especially life-saving ones - as many of us are - it can be a hassle and worry, especially if you are a long way from home," he said.
"It can be critical that you don't miss a dose. Being able to explain exactly what you take and what dose can be an issue. Who remembers all this information?"
Mr Stevens has the following tips to help minimise the chance of medication misadventure while away from home:
1. Get a pack made up with medications for the duration of your trip
It is a good idea to get a medication pack made up by your local pharmacist. This will ensure you have enough medication for the duration of the trip and remind you to take your recommended doses.
2. Carry a medication profile with you
Many of us are on life-saving medications, so running short a long way from home can be a great concern. It may even be critical that you don't miss a dose. Being able to remember and explain exactly what you take and what dose can be difficult, especially when you take multiple medications.
"Around one-in-five people aged 70 or older are on four or more medications, which they truly need. It can be difficult to remember all of the names and correct dosages," warned Mr Stevens. "So taking a list with you can be very useful."
One solution is Webstercare's PocketProfileTM Card. It contains a person's entire medication profile, including images of medications, and folds down to the size of a credit card, so it's easy to keep in your purse or wallet.
"In an age where things are increasingly digital, users of the PocketProfile don't need the latest gadgets, apps and electronic devices - it won't run out of charge and it won't shut down," said Mr Stevens.
The PocketProfile also contains the person's home pharmacy and phone number, enabling a pharmacist at a holiday destination to simply ring the home pharmacy to confirm the medications that were prescribed before issuing emergency replacements to last the remainder of the holiday.
"It is particularly helpful in emergency situations. Medical staff can immediately see a patient's medications and any other medical concerns, including 'in case of emergency' contact details," said Mr Stevens.
3. If going overseas, check your medication is legal
Some medications that are legal in Australia may be prohibited overseas. Contact the Australian embassies in the countries you intend visiting to check. Make sure you take enough regular medication with you to last the entire trip as some drugs may not be available overseas.
"If you are travelling with prescribed medicine, specialised medication packs like Webster-paks help provide assurance that they are yours and have been legally prescribed. Otherwise, make sure they stay in the box with your name and pharmacy sticker on it to prove they are yours. If you take a large amount of medication with you, it's wise to get a letter from your doctor stating why this is necessary," continued Mr Stevens.
4. If in doubt, speak to your pharmacist
Your local pharmacist is a wealth of knowledge and information.
Adverse medication events
Every year millions of Australians suffer adverse medicine events as a result of error and come to harm, hospitalisation and even death. An adverse event is any unintended harm that occurs as a result of a health treatment, and most of these incidents are preventable.
Adverse medicine events can include effects like allergic reactions, hallucinations, gastrointestinal bleeding, memory loss and uncontrollable shaking.
So not taking medications as prescribed is a major issue. Many studies show that about half of all medicines prescribed are not taken as directed - and this is exacerbated in the elderly and chronically ill who often have to take numerous medicines.