Impacts of climate and climate change on medications and human health.
OBJECTIVE
To examine impacts of climate and climate change on medications and human health.


METHODS
Literature review and analysis of MIMS.


RESULTS
Changed climate associated with the enhanced Greenhouse Effect (e.g. increased temperature) may lead to medication-related health impacts through deterioration of storage conditions, increased heat stress from medication-induced heat intolerance, and by influencing pharmacokinetics. Increases in UV radiation from stratospheric ozone depletion may increase the significance of medications that can lead to an increased sensitivity to the damaging effects of UV radiation (i.e. photosensitivity).


CONCLUSIONS
Raising awareness of the impacts of climate on medications, and of climate-related side-effects, among both health care professionals and the public, should modify behaviour and therefore reduce the risks of such adverse impacts.
Beggs
P J
PJ
Department of Physical Geography, Division of Environmental and Life Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109. pbeggs@ocs1.ocs.mq.edu.au
D002980:Climate; D004356:Drug Storage / Q000379:methods*; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D009517:New South Wales; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013696:Temperature; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays / Q000009:adverse effects*