APhA-ASP OTC Medicine Safety

The APhA Academy of Student Pharmacists (APhA-ASP) is proud to partner with Kenvue to educate 5th through 8th grade students and their families about the safe use and storage of over-the-counter medicines. As the medication experts, who better than pharmacists and student pharmacists to serve in this vital role within communities across the U.S. 

Through the OTC Medicine Safety Campaign, APhA-ASP Chapters will educate 5th through 8th graders, as well as their parents and caregivers on:

• Reading medicine directions
• Following OTC label directions
• Proper measurement of medicine 
• Safe storage and disposal of medicine
• Consulting with parent or guardian before taking medications

Modeled after the FDA’s Medicines in My Home program, Young Minds Inspired (YMI) has created ready-made resources including e-books, posters, and handouts. These resources have been specifically designed to appeal to students at the 5th through 8th grad level.APhA-ASP Chapters are also encouraged to tailor the information and resources to the needs of their audiences. 

OTC Medicine Safety National Liaison: Desiree Herman (djherman@buffalo.edu)

Program Results

OTC Medicine Safety was launched as an official APhA-ASP National Patient Care project in 2015. The results of the 2021-2022 OTC Medicine Safety campaign highlight the following accomplishments of APhA-ASP chapters:

• 100 chapters participated
• 3,760 student pharmacists participated
• 193 faculty and staff members participated
• 204 pharmacists participated
• 22,962 individuals educated through OTC Medicine Safety
  • 9,551 5th through 8th graders
  • 3,737 parents and caregivers
  • 653 coaches and educators
• 158,920 individuals reached through public relations initiatives

Online Resources

• OTC Medicine Safety Lesson Plans and Resources
• OTC Medicine Safety Leader's Guide
• COVID-19 Resources
  • Get Relief Responsibly Medicine Safety Content and PDF Resource
  • Safe Kids Worldwide Coronavirus Resources to Keep Kids Safe From Injuries
• Medicine Safety - Understanding the Label
• Family Resources
• Poster: What’s on the label?
• OTC Medicine Safety Digital Storybook
• Medicine Safety Video & Quiz

OTC Medicine Safety Community Partners

• The Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA) represents community leaders like you in every U.S. state and works in 18 countries around the world.
• Safe Kids Worldwide works with over 500 coalitions in the U.S. and partners in 25 countries internationally to prevent childhood injuries.
• The National Council on Patient Information and Education works to improve communication between consumers and healthcare professionals on safe and appropriate medicine use.
• The American Association of Poison Control Centers (AAPCC) represents 55 poison centers across the country to provide expert advice.
• Lifesmarts participants serve as OTC medicine safety mentors.

OTC Medicine Safety Award Report and Recognition

APhA-ASP recognizes each chapter that implements an OTC Medicine Safety program in their community. One Chapter from each of the eight APhA-ASP regions are recognized during Mid-Year Regional Meetings. In addition, the eight regional winners, along with one national winner, and two national runners-up are recognized during the APhA Annual Meeting & Exposition at the APhA-ASP Opening General Session and in Student Pharmacist magazine.