OTC Medicine Safety

APhA-ASP OTC Medicine Safety

Medicine Safety

The APhA Academy of Student Pharmacists (APhA-ASP) is proud to partner with Johnson & Johnson Consumer Health 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: Hadia Malik (hmalik@aphanet.org)

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:

104 chapters participated
5,177 student pharmacists participated
214 faculty and staff members participated
107 pharmacists participated
34,356 individuals educated through OTC Medicine Safety

7,282 5th through 8th graders
3,946 parents and caregivers
2,578 coaches and educators

2,234,518 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

Virtual Kahoot! Quiz
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.

Recognition

Recognition will be awarded to the top chapters nationally at the APhA Annual Meeting and Exposition. Chapters receive the following cash awards:

National Award Winning Chapter = $1,000
National 1st Runner-up = $750
National 2nd Runner-up = $500
Regional Award Winning Chapters - Regions 1-8 = $250

Award Recipients

We are excited to announce the 2021-2022 Overall National Patient Care Project Results. Join us in celebrating the 2021-2022 OTC Medicine Safety National and Regional Award Recipients!

National Award Winner - University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Pharmacy

First Runner-Up Award - Samford University McWhorter School of Pharmacy

Second Runner-Up Award - St. John's University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

Region 1 – Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences – Boston

Region 2 – University of Maryland School of Pharmacy

Region 3 – The University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Pharmacy

Region 4 – Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science College of Pharmacy

Region 5 – Drake University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

Region 6 – University of Louisiana Monroe College of Pharmacy

Region 7 – Pacific University School of Pharmacy

Region 8 – University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences

OTC Medicine Safety Report Submission

To be considered for regional and national awards for APhA-ASP OTC Medicine Safety activities, chapters can complete an essay and submit a separate chronological list for the project events (e.g. OTC Medicine Safety Chronological List) within the APhA-ASP Chapter Achievement Report form. Guidelines and information on the submission process can be found within the APhA-ASP Chapter Achievement Report information.

Thank you to the Supporter

APhA-ASP OTC Medicine Safety is supported by Johnson & Johnson Consumer Health

APhA-ASP Home Page APhA-ASP Projects and Programs