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Tips on Medication Safety
From The American Pharmacists Association
The National Professional Society of Pharmacists
- When you talk to your pharmacist or other healthcare professional,
be an active listener. Take notes. Repeat the instructions that you have
been given so the healthcare professional knows that you have
understood. Ask if there are printed materials on the medicines.
- One of the best ways to avoid mistakes is to learn as much as you
can about your medicines. If you are unsure you are using your
medication correctly, or are unclear about its effects or purpose, speak
with your pharmacist or doctor. Clear communication between you and the
pharmacist, doctor, or other health care provider is critical for
medication safety. Never hesitate to question a health care professional
or express your concerns. In some circumstances, it may be useful for
you to have a list of questions prepared before you meet with the health
care professional so you won?t forget to ask a question.
- Make sure you take the right medicine and the right dose. When you
receive a prescription order from your doctor, find out the name of the
drug, the strength, how often to take it and, if applicable, how long it
should be taken. In addition, confirm with your doctor and pharmacist
the medicine?s intended use. In some cases, it may be appropriate to ask
the doctor to place the purpose of the medicine on the prescription
order?like "for rash" or "for high blood pressure." If your dosage
schedule is changed, make sure you or your doctor informs the
pharmacist.
- Read the label as soon as you pick up your prescription. Look at the
medicine in the container. Question any unexplained changes in
medication size, color, markings, amounts, or doses. If you are unsure
about the medicine, always check with the pharmacist.
- Keep a list of all the medications you are taking with you. Include
nonprescription products, herbal remedies and other alternative care
products. Share the list with all your health care providers. This is
important because sometimes these products can interact with each other
or with other medication that you are taking.
- All medications can cause side effects that are usually mild but
sometimes they can be serious. Your pharmacist and other health care
providers can help you anticipate and understand these side effects and
help you deal with them. If you experience unexplained symptoms or
changes, contact the doctor and your pharmacist.
- Know what to expect from your medication. Find out how soon you can
expect to see results and what you should do if the medication doesn?t
seem to be working.
- If you have ever had a bad reaction or an allergy to a drug, or a
health care provider has ever told you not to take a specific drug
again, tell your doctor and pharmacist and make certain that this
information is in your records. Provide information on the type of
allergic reaction that you experienced.
- Generally, consumers should not be concerned about the potency of
their medications, assuming that these products are used according to
instructions and are not outdated. Commercially available prescription
and nonprescription medications are tested repeatedly by the
manufacturer to assure that they contain the proper amount of the
medication as stated on the label. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration
has standards for the manufacturing and packaging of prescription and
nonprescription medications. Compounded or individually prepared
medications are prepared by a pharmacist under standards set by State
Boards of Pharmacy.
- State Boards of Pharmacy issue licenses to pharmacists and
pharmacies as part of their duty to protect the public?s health, safety,
and welfare. These are renewed annually. If you have a question about
any disciplinary actions that have been taken against a pharmacist,
contact the Board of Pharmacy in that state. State Board of Pharmacy
information can be found on the Web site of the National Association of
Boards of Pharmacy at www.nabp.net.
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For further information, call APhA External
Communications at 202-429-7558.
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