Scheme aims to reduce accidental poisoning

Residents of Kilmacormick, Hillview and Cornagrade in Enniskillen are being urged to return their unwanted medicines to the pharmacy to help reduce the risk of accidental poisoning.

These areas are part of a pilot pharmacy project which is expected to have several benefits

Backing the scheme is the Devenish Partnership Forum, whose spokesman explained: "Did you know 14,000 under five's in the UK are harmed due to medicine-related accidental poisoning every year?"

The Investing In Your Health Project is part of the Devenish Partnership Forum and is funded by Fermanagh Local Strategic Partnership.

It is working in conjunction with community pharmacies in Enniskillen, the Western Health Board and the Home Accident Prevention Group to promote safe storage practices by households in the Devenish area, and to create increased awareness amongst the whole community as to the danger posed by the unsafe disposal of medicines.

The initiative known as, RUM (Return of Unwanted Medicines Scheme) is asking all householders in the Devenish area, which includes the estates of Kilmacormick One and Two, Hillview and Cornagrade, to have a look in their cupboards and to bring all unwanted, out of date medicines to their local Pharmacy during the month of June for safe disposal.

This includes not only medicines prescribed by the doctor, but also herbal remedies, vitamins and medicines bought over the counter. These will then be disposed of in the safest way for both the customer and the environment.

Karen Dolan, a Pharmacy Advisor explained that although these medicines cannot be re-used and will ultimately be destroyed, the pharmacists will be collating information on the medicines which may help improve healthcare in the future.

She stressed that the scheme is completely confidential i.e. there will be no individual patient information held linked to the medicines returned. Medicines can be left at any community pharmacy in Enniskillen during June

Siobhan Wallace, the Co-ordinator of the Investing in Your Health Project added: "As a further incentive, when medicines are left back by Devenish residents, they will be offered the opportunity to take part in a draw, with a number of prizes, including medicine cabinets and toiletries. We hope that all residents will take part in this project."

Anyone wishing to find out more about the project should contact Siobhan on 02866328866 or email her at devenishhealthproject@yahoo.co.uk.