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Ask Your Pharmacist
(Answers-Service-Knowledge)

A.S.K Consumer Safety Program Information

Ask Your Pharmacist
(Answers-Service-Knowledge)

A.S.K Consumer Safety Program Information

A.S.K. (Answers-Service-Knowledge) Campaign Presentation NOW AVAILABLE on slides or on CD in powerpoint format. AWSLinkToForm[16,1]

Ohio Governor Bob Taft typically designates October A.S.K. Your Pharmacist (Answers...Service...Knowledge) Month in Ohio.
The purpose of the proclamation is to encourage Ohioans to look to their pharmacist for answers to questions about their medications. Many patients are confused about, or unaware of, possible interactions among prescription medications. Their pharmacist is the health professional who is not only most knowledgeable about drugs, but is also most accessible. Industry reports estimate the annual cost of patients not taking, or not properly taking medications, to be as much as $100 billion. Studies show that when patients clearly understand how to take their medications and are made aware of interactions with over-the-counter medicines, herbal supplements and natural remedies, their health significantly improves.

The A.S.K. Your Pharmacist program was developed from a 2000 NCSPAE/Merck Demonstration Project Grant. The object of the program is to increase awareness among the general public about non-compliance and to suggest possible solutions to this problem. Pharmacists all over Ohio can encourage customers to ask questions. The A.S.K. Your Pharmacist message is delivered via posters, consumer brochures, stickers, and other promotional items. Pharmacists can go out into their communities to deliver the message via free community forums. This program, 'Beyond a Spoonful of Sugar: Taking Medicines Right,' is available in slide and PowerPoint form for OPA members to borrow. Letting consumers know that pharmacists are accessible and knowledgeable is a year-round effort, not just limited to October. The program was presented and shared with pharmacy associations around the country at the APhA Annual Meeting in San Francisco in March of 2001.

In Ohio, the A.S.K. program was unveiled at the 123rd OPA Annual Conference in April 2001. Randy Myers, R.Ph, president of the Ohio Pharmacists Foundation, had a very positive response from the program he presented that April at the Dublin Retirement Village in Dublin, Ohio. He even received a personal note from one of the residents following the presentation.

Also in 2001, OPA participated in the 'Senior Jazz Fest 2001' on Friday, November 2, at The Martin Janis Center on the Ohio State Fairgrounds. The 'Beyond a Spoonful' forum was presented, and pharmacists and pharmacy students hosted a 'Brown Bag Medicine Review,' where consumers were invited to bring their medications, in original containers, for review. OPA�s Public and Professional Relations Committee coordinated the effort.

OPA Wins Statewide Recognition for
Consumer Safety Program

The Ohio Pharmacists Association was recognized with a 2001 Achievement Award by the Ohio Society of Association Executives (OSAE) for their statewide consumer awareness and safety program, A.S.K. Your Pharmacist. The award, which was presented by OSAE President Elizabeth Adamson, CAE to OPA Assistant Executive Director Amy Bennett, R.Ph. on August 22, was given in the education category.

Kull Communications, of Columbus, and Jaron Terry Communications, Ltd., of Hilliard, collaborated on development and implementation of the award-winning program. In addition to a community presentation, the program includes consumer brochures, posters, prescription bag labels and other promotional items. Franklin Marketing of Covington, Kentucky developed a Public Service Announcement, which was aired in markets across the state.

OPA recognizes corporate sponsors of the program, including AstraZeneca, Bayer Corporation, Bristol-Myers Squibb, GlaxoSmithKline, Hoffman-LaRoche, Merck & Co., Pharmacia, TAP Pharmaceuticals and Wyeth-Ayerst.

A.S.K. (Answers-Service-Knowledge) Campaign Presentation NOW AVAILABLE on slides or on CD in powerpoint format. Letters to-the-editor, public service announcements, brochures, a poster, and newspaper advertisements are available as well.

OPA members are welcome to borrow any of the components of the program in educating their patients. If you want a copy for yourself, it is available to purchase. You may now use a credit card to order on-line AWSLinkToForm[16,1] or call the OPA office at 614.798.0037 to order by phone.

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