Download National Poison Prevention Week

MEDIA CONTACT
TITLE, POSITION
PHONE
E-MAIL:
WEB SITE:
[FACILITY NAME] PHARMACISTS EDUCATE PUBLIC ON
WAYS TO AVOID ACCIDENTAL MEDICATION POISONINGS
National Poison Prevention Week Activities Offer Opportunities for Patients to Learn about
Medication Safety
[CITY, STATE]—Pharmacists at [FACILITY NAME] will use the occasion of National Poison
Prevention Week, March 20-26, 2016, to educate the public, particularly caregivers of children
and seniors, about the precautions they should take to help avoid accidental poisonings involving
medications.
“Most accidental poisonings happen among our youngest and oldest populations who are
dependant on a caregiver,” said [INSERT SPOKESPERSON NAME]. “Accidental poisonings
can take many shapes such as when a child thinks medicine is candy or when a senior becomes
confused and takes an additional dose of their medicine.”
During Poison Prevention Week the [FACILITY NAME] pharmacy department will
[LIST ANY POISON PREVENTION WEEK ACTIVITIES HERE]
To prevent accidental poisonings in children, [FACILITY NAME] recommends:

Use original child-resistant containers.

Always call medicine “Medicine.” Never call medicine “candy” in order to get your child
to take it.

Keep medicines out of sight or in a locked cabinet.

Check expiration dates. If you can’t find the expiration date, do not keep the medicine for
more than six months.

Make sure that anyone who is caring for your children, including babysitters and
grandparents, knows what medication your child is taking and the dosage schedule.
Pharmacists Work with Caregivers During Poison Prevention Week
Page 2
For caregivers of seniors, [FACILITY NAME] recommends:

Use one pharmacy consistently to fill prescriptions so the patient can avoid possible drug
interactions.

Learn about the medication and ask the doctor or pharmacist to explain each medicine.

Keep a journal and note all symptoms and unexpected side effects.

Give medicine at the same time and in the same way each day.

Keep a list of the medicines, including medication name, dosage, and frequency, such as
My Medicine List™ available on www.SafeMedication.com.
“Healthcare professionals and caregivers can work together to create a solution,” said
[SPOKESPERSON]. “By being active participants in their healthcare, family members and
caregivers can be informed on the best ways to prevent an accidental poisoning.” Caregivers and
family members should post the poison control center number (800.222.1222) visibly in the
home, [SPOKESPERSON] said. “Many poison control centers are staffed by pharmacists, whose
training makes them uniquely qualified to advise caregivers in the event of an emergency.”
Medication tips and information on using medicine safely can be found on
www.SafeMedication.com, a consumer Web site that provides easy-to understand information
on more than 850 brand-name and generic drugs and a variety of health information and
interactive features.
[FACILITY BOILERPLATE]
###