Pharmacists warn against leaving old medicines within children’s reach
Parents are being warned to get rid of old pills and tonics, amid claims that 4,000 children are poisoned every year after getting their hands on them.
The chairman of the Irish Pharmaceutical Union said that drugs like ibuprofen and aspirin are common causes of accidental poisoning in children, yet they are still available over the counter.
Darragh O'Loughlin said it is essential that people are encouraged to dispose of unused medicines for the sake of children.
“4,000 children is an enormous number, and if you think that 2,800 of those have taken medicine that they found in the house, it’s frightening,” he said.
“Pharmacists just want to see everything being done that can be done to persuade people to get this medicine that's not needed and keep it under lock and key so that children can't get at it.”
