Pharmacies across the country recently offered free "brown bag" medication reviews as part of National Check Your Meds Day. The awareness-raising event was established by the US Department of Health and Human Services (HSS) and Consumer Reports and this year took place on Saturday, October 21st. Among the participating pharmacies were CVS, Albertsons, Costco, Target, and Walmart.
It was set to encourage consumers to bring prescription medications and supplements to local pharmacies to find out more about their medicine. Among the issues these reviews help highlight are: duplicate medications, excessive doses, and potentially dangerous interactions. Following a secret shopper survey in which patients asked about using hydrochlorothiazide, Coumadin, Ambien, baby aspirin and Aleve PM. The majority of pharmacists gave the correct warnings about the risk of bleeding, yet some failed to point out combining Ambien with Aleve PM could cause drowsiness the following day, or that hydrochlorothiazide, Ambien and Aleve PM may lead to nighttime dizziness.
Consumer Reports provide a number of tips for patients visiting their local pharmacy, including: take the time to talk to a pharmacist not just a clerk or pharmacy technician at the counter; book an appointment to ensure you get a thorough brown bag review; ask pharmacies about insurance and if they can do a free review; and be thorough in your questions to pharmacists and consider asking about nondrug options or lower doses.
Pete Simmons, RPh, vice-president of Pharmacy Operations for CVS Pharmacy, highlighted the importance of medication reviews, saying: "During these reviews, pharmacists are able to help patients better understand their medications, clear up any confusion that may exist, as well as pinpoint opportunities for cost-savings."
"It's a great opportunity for patients to take a look at all of their medications and make sure they are taking them correctly," he added.
Another date to add to your calendar is April 30th, which is National Drug Take-Back Day. On this day, the FDA encourages patients across the country to go through their medicine cabinets and to get rid of any out of date or unused drugs. This year, the FDA noted that over the last two decades, there were more than 30 reports of accidental exposure to powerful pain medication in the form of fentanyl patches.
As well as improving safety and reducing the chance meds will be taken by accident by children or others in the home, taking back unused medication also has a positive ecological impact, ensuring drugs do not enter the water or environment.
To have your medication reviewed by a professional, visit your local pharmacy to book an appointment.
