Newswise — Survey results released by The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) revealed the effects of publicity around Michael Jackson's alleged prescription drug misuse. More than 200 pharmacists who work in home, ambulatory, and chronic care practices responded to the survey conducted on July 1, 2009.
Twenty-eight percent of pharmacists surveyed said patients are asking more questions about the risks of prescription pain medications since the publicity surrounding Michael Jackson's death.
"While circumstances surrounding Michael Jackson's cause of death are still speculative, the media attention has opened dialogue about the dangers of prescription drug abuse," said ASHP president Lynnae M. Mahaney, M.B.A., FASHP. "Medications can make a tremendous difference for people suffering with chronic pain and these patients should seek treatment," she adds. "However, these medications are extremely powerful and when used improperly they can cause serious harm, even death." ASHP reminds consumers that pharmacists, especially those in with expertise in pain management and palliative care, can guide therapy that effectively manages pain while minimizing concerns for abuse and addiction.
ASHP recommends that consumers take the following steps to ensure the safe use of their medications:
- Keep a list of your medications to share with your pharmacist and other health-care providers (know what medicines you are taking and on what frequency, the dose, and how to take the medications),
- Use one pharmacy or pharmacies that can access your medication records through interconnected computer systems so all prescription medicines can be checked for interactions, and,
- Ask your pharmacist when you have questions about your medications.
ASHP also offers My Medicine List® on SafeMedication.com, which allows consumers to easily keep track of medications to help prevent drug interactions and other problems.
About ASHP
For more than 60 years, ASHP has helped pharmacists who practice in hospitals and health systems improve medication use and enhance patient safety. The Society's 35,000 members include pharmacists and pharmacy technicians who practice in inpatient, outpatient, home-care, and long-term-care settings, as well as pharmacy students. For more information about the wide array of ASHP activities and the many ways in which pharmacists help people make the best use of medicines, visit ASHP's Web site, www.ashp.org, or its consumer Web site, www.SafeMedication.com.
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