NCPIE: National Council on Patient Information and Education

COLLABORATION IS THE KEY FOR MEDICINE SAFETY

For Medicine Users
	Tools for Consumers
	Special Populations

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Please consult a licensed health care professional with questions or concerns about your medication and/or condition.

Last Updated
May 23, 2013

FOR MEDICINE USERS > Tools for Consumers

The following resources cover medicine issues that represent a majority of inquiries to NCPIE. Click on the underlined text below to go directly to the resource listed. (Many sources are external websites; most are from the federal government.)

How To Talk About Prescriptions
Information About Specific Medicines
Wise Use of Non-Prescription Medicines
Wise Use of Dietary and Herbal Supplements
Purchasing Medicines on the Internet
Flu and Immunizations
Using Antibiotics Appropriately
Prescription Assistance Programs
Generic Drugs
Reducing Medication Errors
Safe Storage and Disposal of Medication - New

"Make Notes & Take Notes" to Avoid Medication Errors (Color | Black & White)

How To Talk About Prescriptions
	“How to Talk” from NCPIE
	“Your Role on the Medicine Education Team” from NCPIE
	“Your Medicine Information: Read It and Heed It”
	“How to be Drug Smart” from AARP
	From the American Pharmacists Association
Information about Specific Medicines
	http://www.medlineplus.gov/ (Click on "Drug Information")
	http://www.fda.gov/cder/consumerinfo/default.htm (for prescription medicines approved since 1998)
	http://www.safemedication.com
Wise Use of Non-Prescription Medicines
	From NCPIE, see: http://www.bemedwise.org/
	From the American Pharmacists Association
	From the Consumer Healthcare Products Association
Wise Use of Dietary and Herbal Supplements
From the FDA
	"Tips for the Savvy Supplement User"
	http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/supplmnt.html
	http://www.foodsafety.gov/~fsg/dietsupp.html
Purchasing Medicines on the Internet
	Introduction from NCPIE
	From the FDA
	Reporting Questionable Internet Pharmacy Sites
	1. See http://www.fda.gov/oc/buyonline/buyonlineform.htm
	2. Send an e-mail to: webcomplaints@ora.fda.gov
	From the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (Click on "Internet Pharmacy")
	Dispensing and Purchasing Controlled Substances Over the Internet
Flu and Immunizations
	Hotlines from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control:
	1. English: 1-800-232-2522
	2. Spanish: 1-800-232-0233
	Also from the CDC:
	1. "What Everyone Should Know About Flu and Flu Vaccine"
	2. Flu Gallery of Patient Education Materials
	From the American Pharmacists Association
Using Antibiotics Appropriately
	The CDC's "Get Smart - Know When Antibiotics Work" Campaign
	Also from the federal government:
	1. http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/op/antibiotics.htm
	2. http://www.fda.gov/cder/consumerinfo/antibiot-resist-brochure.htm
Prescription Assistance Programs
	Understanding Prescription Assistance Programs
Generic Drugs
	From the Food and Drug Administration
	From the Department of Health and Human Services
	Frequently Asked Questions
Reducing Medication Errors
	JCAHO Speak Up - Medication Mistakes
Safe Storage and Disposal of Medication
	The American Medicine Chest Challenge
	Federal Guidelines: Proper Disposal of Prescription Drugs
	Safe Medication Disposal for Maine (ME)
	NCPIE Tips on Safe Storage & Disposal
	Regional Excess Medication Disposal Service (RxMEDS), St. Louis, MO