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Get ready to raise awareness about adverse drug events on National Adverse Drug Event Awareness Day, which takes place on March 24! This day was established in 2005 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as a way to educate the public about the potential risks and dangers of medication. It's also a time to honor and support those who have been affected by these events, whether it be through prevention or treatment. Let's come together and spread the word about this important issue and work towards creating a safer and healthier society.
<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'>Thalidomide Tragedy</div><div class='timeline-text'>The Thalidomide tragedy led to stricter drug regulations worldwide after around 10,000 children were born with severe deformities due to the drug.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1983</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting</div><div class='timeline-text'>FDA established the Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS), a database that contains information on adverse event and medication error reports submitted to FDA.</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'>"To Err is Human" Report</div><div class='timeline-text'>The Institute of Medicine's "To Err is Human" report spotlighted medical errors, including adverse drug events, as a significant cause of death in the US.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2005</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>National Adverse Drug Event Awareness Day Establishment</div><div class='timeline-text'>The CDC established National Adverse Drug Event Awareness Day to educate the public about potential risks and dangers of medication.</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'>CDC Launches PROTECT Initiative</div><div class='timeline-text'>The CDC's PROTECT initiative seeks to advance coordinated, multisector efforts to prevent unintentional medication overdoses in children.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2020</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>COVID-19 and Hydroxychloroquine</div><div class='timeline-text'>Increased public awareness of adverse drug events following widespread use and subsequent safety concerns about Hydroxychloroquine as a potential COVID-19 treatment.</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'>Host a medication safety seminar</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Gather friends and family to learn more about the importance of medication safety and how to prevent adverse drug events. Invite a healthcare professional to speak and provide helpful tips for staying safe while taking medications.</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'>Create a social media campaign</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Spread awareness about National Adverse Drug Event Awareness Day by creating a social media campaign. Share information and statistics about adverse drug events and encourage others to join in on the conversation using a designated hashtag.</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 review day</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Partner with a local pharmacy or healthcare facility to offer free medication reviews on National Adverse Drug Event Awareness Day. This will give individuals the opportunity to discuss their medications with a professional and potentially identify any potential adverse drug events.</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'>Create a medication safety pledge</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Design and distribute a medication safety pledge for individuals to sign and commit to taking their medications safely. This can be a fun and interactive way to raise awareness and promote responsible medication use.</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'>Donate to a medication safety organization</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Consider making a donation to an organization that focuses on promoting medication safety and preventing adverse drug events. This is a great way to support the cause and make a positive impact on the community.</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'>It raises awareness about adverse drug events</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>National Adverse Drug Event Awareness Day brings attention to the harmful effects of prescription and over-the-counter drugs. By highlighting these issues, more people will be informed and hopefully take necessary precautions to prevent these events from happening.</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'>It promotes education and prevention</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>With more awareness comes more education on how to prevent adverse drug events. National Adverse Drug Event Awareness Day encourages individuals to learn about their medications, potential side effects, and proper usage in order to minimize risks and avoid unnecessary harm.</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'>It advocates for improved safety and regulation</h3><p id='' class='above lovethinggoingbyspeak-of whywelove-text''>By bringing attention to adverse drug events, this day also amplifies the voices of those who have been affected by them. This can lead to advocacy for stricter regulations and measures to improve drug safety, ultimately preventing future incidents from occurring.</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'>Adverse Drug Events are Volatile and Unexpected</h3><p class='facts-content'>Adverse Drug Events (ADEs) can occur at any time, in any setting, and can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, or overall health status. This unpredictability emphasizes the need for vigilance, awareness, and active prevention strategies.</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'>Adverse Drug Events are a Leading Cause of Emergency Hospitalizations</h3><p class='facts-content'>Each year in the US, ADEs account for approximately 700,000 emergency hospitalizations. Nearly half of these are among elders. This makes ADEs one of the leading reasons for emergency healthcare visits.</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'>Certain Drugs Carry a Higher Risk for Adverse Events</h3><p class='facts-content'>Some medications, like blood thinners and diabetes medications, pose a significant risk for serious ADEs. However, it's also important to note that even common over-the-counter drugs can have adverse effects when not used appropriately.</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'>Adverse Drug Events are Largely Preventable</h3><p class='facts-content'>A large portion of ADEs can be prevented with accurate information, adequate education about proper medication use and potential warnings signs, and clear communication among healthcare providers and patients.</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'>Adverse Drug Events Exert a Massive Financial Burden</h3><p class='facts-content'>The unnecessary healthcare expenditure as a result of ADEs is immense. It is estimated that ADEs result in more than $3.5 billion in extra medical costs annually in the United States alone, highlighting the need for more effective prevention strategies.</p></div></div>
National Adverse Drug Event Awareness Day is celebrated on March 24 every year. In 2024 National Adverse Drug Event Awareness Day will occur on a Sunday.
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