News: Ask About Medicines
8 October 2003, Welsh Assembly GovernmentAsk About Medicines Week (October 12-18) is a new initiative backed by the Welsh Assembly Government.
Almost everyone takes medicines at some point in their lives. They have an enormous potential to affect our health and wellbeing. On average 70 per cent of the population are on prescription or over-the-counter medication at any one time, yet research consistently shows that up to 50 per cent of medicines are not taken as prescribed. So why are so many people not using medicines appropriately?
The campaign will help to increase people’s understanding of their medicines and create more opportunities to discuss their views and concerns about medicines with a range of health professionals, including pharmacists, doctors and nurses.
Activities taking place during AAMW include the distribution of a leaflet and handy Ask About Medicines Question Card; the release of a Mori survey on attitudes about medicine taking in Wales; and an exhibition in the Cardiff Bay headquarters of the Welsh Assembly Government to raise awareness among AMs of the need for better access to information about medicines.
There will be a series of themed days throughout the week, addressing issues of concern to particular groups. The themes are:
Monday 13 October - Babies & children
Tuesday 14 October - Women’s health
Wednesday 15 October - Mental health
Thursday 16 October - Men’s health
Friday 17 October - Older people
Saturday 18 October - Long term/chronic illness
Welsh Assembly Government Minister for Health & Social Services Jane Hutt said,"I am delighted to support Ask About Medicines Week. This campaign provides a timely opportunity for people to make sure they have access to all the information they need. It is important that people are involved in decisions about their health and that they fully understand how medicines can be used safely and to the best effect. The campaign week may end on 18 October, but it is important that Ask About Medicines messages are promoted all year round."
Further information
1. Ask About Medicines Week in Wales is backed by the Welsh Assembly Government, NHS Cymru Wales, the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain (Welsh Executive), Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (Cymru/Wales), Community Pharmacy Wales, National Patient Safety Agency and other partner organisations linked with the aims of the campaign.
2. The Ask About Medicines Question Card has been specially developed with five key questions and five top tips for asking questions about medicines.
AAMW Question card: key questions
- What does this medicine do?
- How long will I need to use it?
- How and when should I take it?
- Should I avoid any other medicines, drinks, foods or activities when I am taking this medicine?
- What are the possible risks and side effects – and what should I do if they happen to me?
Published in English, Welsh and several minority languages, the handy credit-card sized question cards will be available from health professionals across Wales.
3. To find out how satisfied people are with the level of information they receive about medicines, interviews were conducted in Wales by MORI especially for Ask About Medicines Week. Topline findings include:
- 78% of Welsh adults said their most popular source of information is advice from health professionals;
- An overwhelming 86% of Welsh adults feel that it is valuable to have access to a range of different types of information about medicines from different sources; 73% of adults in Wales felt that the benefits of taking medicines outweigh the risks;
- Around one in ten Welsh adults would like to use NHS Direct Wales more in the future as a source of information about prescription medicines, compared with 7% who have used this source until now.
AAMW is made possible through the unique consortium of Doctor Patient Partnership, the Task Force on Medicines Partnership and the PECMI (Promoting Excellence in Consumer Medical Information) Working Group
Click here for more information on Ask About Medicines Week or contact Phil Hutchinson (029 2082 5799) or Amanda Arter (029 2082 5935)