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Mark your calendars for April 1 because it's time to observe Medication Safety Week! This week-long event was created to raise awareness and educate individuals on the importance of safely managing their medications. With over 2 million cases of adverse drug reactions each year, this day serves as a reminder to take precautionary measures when it comes to medication usage. From proper storage to following dosage instructions, there are many ways we can ensure our safety when taking medications. So let's come together and make Medication Safety Week a success in promoting healthy habits!
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1800s</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Early Medication Safety</div><div class='timeline-text'>In the 1800s, the emergence of pharmacology as a scientific discipline laid the groundwork for understanding medication safety, though standards and regulations were sparse.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1938</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act</div><div class='timeline-text'>The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act was passed in the U.S. in 1938, setting safety standards for drugs.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1962</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Kefauver-Harris Amendments</div><div class='timeline-text'>The Kefauver-Harris Amendments were added to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act in 1962 in response to the Thalidomide tragedy, enhancing drug safety regulations.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1999</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Establishment of Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP)</div><div class='timeline-text'>ISMP, dedicated to medication error prevention and safe medication use, officially gains nonprofit status in 1999, furthering the cause of medication safety.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2002</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>FDA's Bar Coding Rule</div><div class='timeline-text'>The FDA introduces the barcoding rule in 2002 to decrease medication errors in hospitals, a significant initiative for medication safety.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2013</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Inception of Medication Safety Week</div><div class='timeline-text'>Medication Safety Week is recognized for the first time in 2013 to highlight the importance and methods of safe medication use.</div></div></div>
<div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Create a medication safety checklist</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Make a checklist of important safety measures to follow when taking medication, such as checking for drug interactions and storing medicine properly. Share it with friends and family to spread awareness during Medication Safety Week.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Host a medication safety trivia game</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Create a fun and educational trivia game about medication safety to play with friends and family. This is a great way to engage people in learning about this important topic and promote safe practices.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Organize a medication disposal event</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Dispose of expired or unused medications safely by hosting a medication disposal event in your community. This will not only promote safe practices but also prevent potential harm to the environment.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Share personal experiences with medication safety</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Encourage others to share their personal experiences with medication safety, whether it be about a mistake they made or a close call. This will help raise awareness and promote open communication about this important topic.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Partner with local pharmacies</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Partner with local pharmacies to provide educational materials and resources about medication safety. This can include brochures, posters, and even free medication review services to ensure safe practices are being followed.</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Promotes safe and responsible medication use</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Medication Safety Week is an important reminder to always follow your doctor's instructions when taking medication. It helps people understand the importance of using medications safely to avoid potential dangers, such as interactions with other drugs or incorrect dosages.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Raises awareness about medication errors and ways to prevent them</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>During Medication Safety Week, healthcare professionals and organizations dedicate their time and resources to educate the public about common mistakes made with medications. This includes tips on how to properly store, dispose of, and administer medications to reduce the risk of errors.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Encourages open communication between patients and healthcare providers</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Medication Safety Week promotes conversations between patients and their healthcare providers about any concerns or questions they have regarding their medications. This can lead to better understanding and adherence to medication regimens, ultimately improving overall health outcomes.</p></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>1</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Medications are a Leading Cause of Emergency Room Visits for Children</h3><p class='facts-content'>According to the CDC, each year in the United States, over half a million children under the age of five visit the emergency room due to unknowingly consuming medications when adults weren't looking.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>2</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>A Majority of American Adults Regularly Consume Prescription Medication</h3><p class='facts-content'>Approximately 70% of Americans take at least one prescription drug; about half take two or more, signifying an enormous need for safe usage and storage.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>3</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Adverse Drug Reactions are Among Top Causes of Hospitalized Deaths</h3><p class='facts-content'>Adverse drug reactions can result in more than 100,000 deaths annually in the U.S., making them one of the leading causes of mortality among hospitalized patients (Gold Standard Drug Database).</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>4</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Medication Errors are a Preventable Cause of Complications in Healthcare</h3><p class='facts-content'>The National Center for Biotechnology Information suggests that as many as 98,000 deaths per year occur in hospitals due to medication errors – these are preventable with practices emphasized during Medication Safety Week.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>5</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Up to 50% People do not Use their Medication Correctly</h3><p class='facts-content'>The World Health Organization reports that among people with long-term illnesses, only 50% in developed countries correctly follow their prescribed medication regimen – demonstrating the need for continued education like that which occurs during Medication Safety Week.</p></div></div>
Medication Safety Week is celebrated on April 1 every year. In 2024 Medication Safety Week will occur on a Monday.
2023
Apr 1
Saturday
2024
Apr 1
Monday
2025
Apr 1
Tuesday
2026
Apr 1
Wednesday
2027
Apr 1
Thursday
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