The Problem
(excerpt from ISMP Call to Action White Paper)
An increasing number of U.S. consumers are taking medications. Two
out of every three patients who visit a doctor leave with at least one
prescription for medication, leading to a record volume of nearly 3.4
billion prescriptions dispensed in 2005. This is an increase of nearly
60% since 1995.(1) In fact, 81% of adults in the U.S. take
at least one medication during a given week and 27% take at least
five.(2) When used safely, medications contribute to better health
and to a longer and greater quality of life. However, a vast
number of Americans take prescription medications without being fully
informed about the associated risks, contraindications, and adverse
effects.(3) Misuse of medications can interfere with desired
treatment and cause harmful reactions. In the year 2000, the annual
costs of drug-related illness and death in ambulatory care settings
alone were estimated at more than $177 billion.(4) The most common types
of medication misuse include: (5)
• Taking the incorrect dose
• Taking a dose at the wrong time
• Forgetting to take a dose
• Stopping medicine too soon
1 Miller L, ed. Chain Pharmacy Industry Profile. 9th ed.
Alexandria VA: NACDSFoundation; 2006, pg 8.
2 Kaufman DW, Kelly JP, Rosenberg L, Mitchell AA. Recent patterns of
medication use in the ambulatory adult population of the United States:
The Slone Survey. JAMA 2002;287:337-344.
3 Aspden P, Wolcott J, Bootman JL, Cronenwett, LR eds. Preventing
Medication Errors: Quality Chasm Series. Washington, DC: The
National Academies Press; 2007.
4 Ernst FR, Grizzle AJ. Drug-related morbidity and mortality: updating
the cost of illness model. J Am Pharm Assoc: 2001;41:192-199.
5 Farley D. FDA Proposes to
Give Patients Better Medication Information. FDA Consumer
Magazine 1995. Accessed on 6/11/07.
|
Resources
 Powerpoint Presentation with
Speaker’s Notes for delivery by pharmacists to consumer
audiences
›› Americas Medicine Cabinet (ppt)
›› Americas Medicine Cabinet (additional
slides) (ppt)
 ›› Consumer Brochure (pdf)
Highlights the contributing factors to medication misuse and how
consumers can work with their pharmacist to maximize the benefits from
their medication therapy (developed by ISMP)
 ›› ISMP Call To Action White Paper
(pdf)
Pharmacists are the healthcare professionals most qualified to assume
responsibility for the medication management of appropriate outpatients
who take prescription and non-prescription medications. The further
expansion of pharmacists’ role from traditional dispensers of
drugs to disease-state managers and providers of direct patient
education will help prevent medication misuse, reduce costs, and improve
patients’ overall health.
Additional Medication Safety Resources
›› Tips
for Talking with Your Pharmacist - to learn how to use medicines
safely. FDA's brochure for consumers, covering what to
tell and ask your pharmacist, and what to do after you get the medicine
from your pharmacist. Available in html or a printable, high
resolution PDF version.
|
Pharmacists educating the public about appropriate
medication use
