Pharmacists/Health Professionals Mobilize to Encourage Americans to "Be MedWise" about Over-the-Counter Medicines

With an unrestricted educational grant of $1 million from Procter & Gamble, the National Council on Patient Information and Education (NCPIE) is launching a new initiative to encourage a dialogue between consumers and their pharmacists regarding over-the-counter (OTC) medicines. This program - part of the NCPIE's ongoing "Be MedWise" public education campaign - will reach consumers through retail pharmacies, clinics, and other community settings and stress that OTC products are serious medications that must be taken as directed. The program will encourage consumers to turn to their pharmacists - a highly trusted source of information - when they have questions about selecting and using OTC medications. The Be MedWise campaign was launched in January 2002 and includes a website, www.bemedwise.org, where consumers, health professionals, educators, and the media can get detailed information about the new OTC labels and how to compare products, learn about dosages, and understand specific warnings. Click here to read the full press release. To learn more about Be MedWise, visit www.bemedwise.org. You can also find details and results of the OTC usage research study commissioned by NCPIE. Return to Top