Resources

Medicine Safety - Patient Resources

Package Inserts
Drug companies prepare a Package Insert, also referred to as a "PI," "Prescribing Information" or the "Labeling" for healthcare professionals who prescribe or dispense prescription medicines. The PI is a valuable resource for learning about your medication. For more information on reading a PI, click here.

Another resource for learning about a medication is the Patient Package Insert. This insert is included with most, but not all, prescription medications. If your prescription does not include a Patient Package Insert, ask your doctor, pharmacist or healthcare professional for this information.

Internet Resources
The Internet offers a wealth of medical information; however, Web sites cannot cover all of a medication's possible uses, actions, precautions, side effects and interactions or provide information specifically for you. Discussing your questions or concerns with your doctor, pharmacist or other healthcare professional is the best way to find out how any medicine fits into your own treatment plan.

If you do wish to locate more information about medications and medication errors, the following associations can be of help:

American Pharmacists Association (APhA)
2215 Constitution Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20037-2985
Phone: (202) 628-4410
E-mail: No general e-mail address, but the site provides many addresses, depending on specific needs.
Web site: www.aphanet.org
Patient safety site: www.pharmacyandyou.org

APhA is the professional association of U.S. pharmacists, providing information, education and advocacy to help its members improve medication use and advance patient care.

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American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) 7272 Wisconsin Avenue
Bethesda, Maryland 20814
Phone: (301) 657-3000
Web site: www.ashp.com
Medication safety site: www.safemedication.com

ASHP is the professional association representing pharmacists who practice in hospitals, health maintenance organizations, long-term care facilities, home care and other components of healthcare systems. Medication safety is a primary focus of ASHP's efforts.

National Council on Patient Information and Education (NCPIE)
4915 Saint Elmo Ave., Suite 505
Bethesda, Maryland 20814-6082
Phone: (301) 656-8565
Web site: talkaboutrx.org

NCPIE is a non-profit coalition of more than 125 organizations whose mission is to stimulate and improve communication of information on the appropriate use of medicines to patients and health care professionals. NCPIE develops programs, provides educational resources, and offers services to advance the common mission of its members.

U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
5600 Fishers Lane
Rockville, Maryland 20857-0001
Phone: 1-888-INFO-FDA (1-888-463-6332)
E-mail: E-mail the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research directly from the site
Web site: www.fda.gov
Patient safety site: www.fda.gov/cder/drug/MedErrors/(Center for Drug Evaluation and Research)
Patient education: http://www.fda.gov/cder/consumerinfo/DPAdefault.htm

The patient safety site includes medication error reports, a list of specific drugs associated with errors, directions for reporting a medication error and federal guidelines. Downloadable resources related to medication safety are available on the patient education page. For information on individual drugs, visit the Consumer Drug Information page.

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