Program Urges Patients to Follow "the 3R's"

The National Council on Patient Information and Education (NCPIE) kicked off its 20th national "Talk About Prescriptions" Month with the launch of the "3R's for Safe Medicine Use" program. The program aims to lower medication misuse by patients. The 3R's for Safe Medication Use are as follows:

• Risk—patients should recognize that all prescription and OTC medicines have risks as well as benefits; they should weigh these risks and benefits carefully for every medicine being taken
• Respect—patients should appreciate the power of their medicine and the value of medicines when used properly
• Responsibility—patients should assume the duty of learning about how to take each medication safely

"Too many times, people misuse medications, either by not following proper use instructions or not taking them as directed by their physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant. This misuse often leads to other health problems," commented Phillip Schneider, NCPIE chairman.