EXPERTS EDUCATE PATIENTS ON DRUG ERRORS

The number of Americans making mistakeswith prescription medicines isstaggering—more than 100,000 eachyear. These errors sometimes lead toserious health problems or even death.During the recent Prescription ErrorsEducation and Awareness Week, theDepartment of Veterans Affairs offeredthe following tips for patients to avoidprescription mistakes:

• Do not pressure physicians to prescribemedications seen andheard about in television commercialsor on other media outlets.Let physicians make medicationdecisions based on theirexpertise.
• Inform physicians about any allergiesand adverse reactions to medicines.Keep a journal of all medicationstaken, as well as any side effectsexperienced.
• Tell physicians about all of the medicationsbeing taken, including Rxdrugs, OTC products, and dietary supplements.
• Ask health care professionals, includingpharmacists, questions to helpunderstand what medication is beingprescribed and how it works.