The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) welcomes the expansion of pill testing services this summer, with New South Wales joining Victoria and the ACT in offering drug checking at music festivals and fixed sites.
Pill testing aims to reduce harms associated with illicit substance use by providing users with information about the contents of their drugs.
A 2023 evaluation of the ACT’s CanTEST service revealed only 53% of substances tested matched the expected drug.
When unexpected or additional substances were identified, one-third of individuals reported they would “definitely not” use the drug.
‘It’s not about saying ‘this substance is safe”Â
PSA National President Associate Professor Fei Sim FPS emphasises the importance of these services.
“Having drug checking services available is key to reducing hard of illicit substances,” says Associate Professor Sim.
“This isn’t about telling consumers ‘this substance is safe’, it’s about allowing them to make informed decisions about the risks of the substances they have.”
‘Pill testing and drug checking saves lives’
Australia’s National Drug Strategy has prioritised harm minimisation since 1985, and pill testing aligns with this principle.
Associate Professor Sim notes that young lives are tragically lost each summer at events, due to the unknown risks of illicit drugs.
“The evidence is overwhelming — pill testing and drug checking saves lives,” she says.
“Importantly, these services also provide a chance for health professionals to offer tailored support and information on illicit drug use and harm.”
The PSA supports further expansion of drug testing services, advocating for more trials and research to strengthen the evidence base for these life-saving interventions.
As summer music festivals ramp up, the PSA’s call underscores the role of pill testing as both a harm reduction tool and a platform for meaningful health engagement.
