In November 2008 and again in March 2009, an expert panel was convened by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration with the goal of determining whether a list could be developed to indicate which medications or classes of medications may pose a hazard to driving. There was particular interest in having the panel develop a list of "safe" medications that do not impair driving. The value of the list would be to better inform patients and physicians about the likely effects of a drug on driving. This information could lead to better-informed prescribing practices and to more rational selection of medications by patients. The panel comprised an international group of behavioural scientists, epidemiologists, pharmacologists, toxicologists, and traffic safety professionals to provide a broad-based perspective on the issue. Discussions included prescription medications, as well as over-the-counter medications and illicit drugs. Although illicit drugs are best known for their impairing effects, prescription and over-the-counter medications are also known to be capable of producing impairment, and many are frequently encountered in impaired driver populations. (Author/publisher)
Abstract