Inquest into men's deaths to examine if public awareness campaign needed on prescription drug misuse
A Perth inquest into the deaths of three men will examine whether a public awareness campaign is required to highlight the dangers of prescription drug misuse.
The inquest will also focus on how the supply of prescription drugs, such as opioids, can be restricted by medical professionals to reduce overdose deaths.
Daniel Hall, 26, Shane Berry, 44, and Adrian Westlund, 22, all died between 2010 and 2012 from prescription drug overdoses.
In an opening address, counsel assisting the coroner Kate Ellson said "a great deal" would be heard about Schedule 8 and Schedule 4 drugs, which the men overdosed on.
"A broader question arises as to whether a public awareness campaign is necessary so as to raise awareness as to the risks and unacceptable behaviours associated with pharmaceutical misuse," Ms Ellson said.
Ms Ellson also said the inquest would examine "whether a compulsory, continuing education program [on] pain relief is, or should be, provided to medical practitioners and made a regular commitment to their ongoing training and education".
She said issues around the prescribing and dispensing of drugs would be examined.
"In particular, questions arise which touch upon the current practice of general practitioners and pharmacists and the circumstances in which they are able to restrict the supply of controlled drugs and prescription only medicine," Ms Ellson said.
The inquest would also examine the importance of doctors and pharmacists being able to access patient drug history in real time.
"Obviously any attempt to prevent the deaths of people who ingest fatal amounts of prescription medicine is a complex task and it is one which requires close consideration from a number of perspectives," Ms Ellison said.
"However, the supply of controlled drugs and prescription medication can be restricted and demand for the drugs can be reduced.
"It is the ability of doctors and pharmacists to understand, in real time, the current reality for each patient using benzodiazepines and opioids, which provides the focus for the current inquests."
The inquest is set down for two weeks.