Listen to some tips on safe medication use


The Safe Meds Program, offered by the Ontario Pharmacists’ Association, is a series of pharmacist-delivered community presentations.  Each seminar covers a variety of important topics relating to medication use including: proper storage and disposal of medications; over-the-counter products; dealing with side effects; non-compliance of drug therapy; how your pharmacist can help, and much more.  Seminars are available on a variety of topics, and suitable for a number of different audiences.  Click on the link below to learn more about:

 

The Ontario Pharmacists’ Association is pleased to have the support of the Government of Ontario for the Safe Meds for Seniors Program.  These seminars are available across Ontario and are delivered by a community pharmacist. Each seminar covers a variety of important topics for seniors relating to medication use.  Originally introduced as the Seniors' Safe Medication Use Program in 1999, Safe Meds for Seniors has been presented to thousands of people and met with overwhelming success.  Each seminar provides valuable information about healthy aging to help seniors live independently and with dignity.

"Our seniors can benefit from the expertise the pharmacist has to offer," said Donnie Edwards, Interim CEO. "Almost 50% of all medication used by seniors may be used inappropriately.  Medication related problems result in 25% of hospital admissions of patients over 50 years of age.  By educating our seniors on medication therapy we can improve health care outcomes, reduce hospital visits, and help control health care costs."

The programs are fully funded by the OPA and the Ontario government. They are free for seniors who wish to host or attend them. Safe Meds for Seniors provides an excellent opportunity for seniors to take control of their health and medication and to utilize the skills and expertise of drug experts – the  pharmacists.

The Myths of Aging Why Am I at risk? A look at the statistics Examples of Medication Misuse What Are Drugs? Prescription medicines Over-the-counter medicines Social drugs Traditional and herbal therapies Drug Names Brand and generic names How Can my Pharmacist Help? Storage of Medications Expired Medications	The Dos & Don'ts of Safe Medication Use Ask Your Pharmacist Tips for Snowbirds Side Effects of Medication Over-the-Counter Medicines Herbals: The Myths & the Realities Compliance Aids Weekly pill boxes, etc. Safe Medication Card Colds & Infection Influenza: "the flu" Influenza vaccine Shingles Constipation Additional Pharmacy Services Medication Reviews Question & Answer Period

The Safe Meds for Seniors program runs 45 to 90 minutes in length, including a question and answer period and is provided to groups at no charge.  The pharmacist will attempt to tailor the presentation to the needs of the seniors' group, if requested. No particular pharmacy or drug is promoted in this program.  This program is available in English, French, Chinese, Farsi, Gujarati, Hindi, Italian, Korean and Polish.

If you are a senior and wish to attend a seminar in your area, please refer to the list below (additional dates and locations are updated as they are confirmed):

Thursday, May 15, 2008 50 Plus St. Philips Lutheran Church 61 West Deane Park Dr. v Etobicoke, ON Presentation Time: 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Contact: Wendy Kearns, 416-284-4006

Sunday, April 27, 2008 ElderCare Expo Western Fair Grounds London, ON Presentation Time: 2:15 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. Contact: Marcy Aziz-Stoetzer, 519-641-4242

Thursday, April 10, 2008 Broadview Manor 80 Danforth Avenue Toronto, ON Presentation Time: 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Contact: Victor Addai-Agyekum, 416-392-9659

If you are with a group or organization and wish to inquire about hosting a seminar, please contact Tania Antenucci, Director, Pharmacy Programs, OPA 416-441-0788 ext. 4232 or via e-mail at tantenucci@opatoday.com. Please note that the consideration of seminar delivery will be subject to program guidelines




Safe Meds for Heart is available with the support of Pfizer Canada and AstraZeneca Canada. Safe Meds for Heart provides information on risk factors for heart disease and the safe use of medications for high blood pressure and cholesterol, two of the most important risk factors for heart disease.  This program is available as a live presentation or on-line.

What is heart disease? The situation in Canada Risk factors for heart disease High blood pressure What is high blood pressure? How do we measure blood pressure? What do the numbers mean? Treatment of blood pressure Important points to remember	High cholesterol What is high cholesterol? Types of cholesterol What should my cholesterol be? Treatment of high cholesterol Important points to remember How can my pharmacist help? Do’s and Don’ts of safe medication use

Click here to download the Safe Meds for Heart brochure which outlines the Safe Meds for Heart program, provides tips on safe medication use and emphasizes the important role of the pharmacist as a drug expert. Also included in the brochure is a list of valuable resources which can be accessed online. To order pre-printed copies of this brochure, please contact Susan Eckert at OPA: 416-441-0788, extension 4251.

Click here to see and hear the on-line version of this presentation. Seniors, their caregivers, and adults of all ages will learn something new from this program.

The Safe Meds for Heart live presentation runs 45 to 90 minutes in length, including a question and answer period and is provided to seniors groups at no charge. No particular pharmacy or drug is promoted in this program.

If you wish to attend a seminar in your area, please refer to the list below (additional dates and locations are updated as they are confirmed):

Saturday, June 21, 2008 Cedarbrook Community Centre 91 Eastpark Blvd. Scarborough, ON Presentation Time: 10:00 am to 12:00 noon Contact: Susan Eckert, 416-441-0788, ext. 4251

Monday, April 28, 2008 Royal Canadian Legion 1550 Lansdowne St. W. Peterborough, ON Presentation Time: 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm Contact: Laurie Riley, 705-749-1500

If you are with a group or organization and wish to inquire about hosting a seminar, please contact Tania Antenucci, Director, Pharmacy Programs, OPA 416-441-0788 ext. 4232 or via e-mail at tantenucci@opatoday.com. Please note that the consideration of seminar delivery will be subject to program guidelines.

Pharmacists looking for materials to support work with young children have access to the Safe Meds for Kids presentation.  This interactive program is suitable for children either aged four to six, or seven to ten.  The Dino Game – All About medication Safety and Healthy Habits is another great way to educate our young people and encourage the development healthy attitudes towards medication use.  The Dino Game is suitable for ages six through nine.  Pharmacists interested in these products can contact Wendy Furtenbacher, Membership Coordinator, OPA 416-441-0788 ext. 4224 or via email at wfurtenbacher@opatoday.com

The Safe Meds for Driving program is now available for pharmacists looking to educate people in their community about how medications can affect driving ability and keep our roadways safe for everyone.  The topics covered in this presentation include Diseases Which Affect Driving, How Drugs May Impair Driving, Over the Counter Products, Pain Relievers, Sleeping Pills, Social Drugs, How the Pharmacist Can Help and more.  Pharmacists interested in accessing this program can contact Wendy Furtenbacher, membership Coordinator, OPA 416-441-0788 ext. 4224 or via email at wfurtenbacher@opatoday.com

The Ontario Pharmacists' Association gratefully acknowledges the support of the Ontario Government and Pfizer for the Seniors' Safe Medication Use Program.

The views expressed herein are those of the Ontario Pharmacists' Association and do not necessarily reflect those of the Government of Ontario.


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