Educate Patients About Poison Prevention Strategies

This year, National Poison Prevention Week takes place from March 15 through 21, providing the perfect time for pharmacists to reinforce medication safety tips. The theme this year is “When the unexpected happens, Poison Help is here for you.”¹

Poisoning is the top cause of injury-related death in the US, and approximately 90% of poisonings each year occur in homes.^1,2 Additionally, over 70% of individuals who contact Poison Help receive assistance, avoiding a trip to a health care professional or emergency department.² Pharmacists play a vital role in educating patients about poison prevention strategies as part of medication therapy management (MTM).

Poison Prevention and MTM

When pharmacists provide comprehensive medication reviews, they can also discuss poison prevention tips with patients. It is important to encourage patients to bring in all prescriptions and OTC medications they are taking to see whether any are no longer being used or have expired. This can help lead to a conversation about appropriate drug disposal. National Take Back Day typically takes place twice a year, in October and April, at sites across the US. The last event was held on October 25, 2025, and there were more than 4000 collection sites.³ More than 571,000 pounds of medications were collected for disposal.³

Patients can also dispose of expired or unwanted medications year-round at almost 16,500 locations nationwide.⁴ These include pharmacies, hospitals, and police stations. Pharmacists can direct patients to the closest drug disposal locations. 

Pharmacists should also discuss proper medication storage as a poison prevention strategy during MTM consults. When patients pick up new medications, it is a great time to offer education about medication storage. Patients should keep medications in child-resistant bottles out of reach of children and pets, and according to any medication-specific instructions (eg, refrigerated or in a cold, dry space).

One study evaluated medication storage locations and their appropriateness in US households. The study was conducted as a self-administered online survey, which 154 households (79%) completed.⁵ There were 75 (38.4%) households with at least 1 resident younger than 18 years.⁵ One notable finding was that almost 77% of households were storing at least 1 medication inappropriately.⁵ Additionally, 46.8% of households stored medications on the counter of the bathroom, kitchen, or bedroom, which could lead to accidental ingestion.⁵ The study findings highlight the importance of medication storage education.

Pharmacists can also educate patients about keeping the Poison Help line number (1-800-222-1222) on hand in the event of an accidental poisoning.⁶ Toxicology specialists, including pharmacists, are available 24/7 free of charge to assist with suspected poisonings. Remind patients to call 911 if they have trouble breathing, experience a seizure, or lose consciousness.⁶

In March 2025, the National Capital Poison Center released its free webPOISONCONTROL tool.⁶ It is available online and as a mobile app for Apple and Android devices. Since its inception, webPOISONCONTROL has assisted more than 1 million individuals with poisoning exposures. It is the first digital, fully automated poison control center established for individuals who prefer a computer-based option or who cannot use a telephone. However, the following groups should call poison control: pregnant patients, individuals younger than 6 months or older than 79 years, those who ingested multiple products, and anyone with thoughts of self-harm.⁶ These groups are not included in the webPOISONCONTROL algorithm.

MTM Spotlight

In an email interview with Pharmacy Times, Costadina Aneziris, PharmD, BCGP, a clinical pharmacist and academic detailer at the Retzky College of Pharmacy at the University of Illinois, Chicago, discussed the pharmacist’s role in poison prevention. As part of her academic detailing role, Aneziris provides opioid medication storage and disposal education to health care professionals. She provides education about drug take-back and mail-back programs, disposing of medications in the household trash, and deactivation systems.

“[The Illinois ADVANCE program’s] academic detailing topics also include harm reduction information, such as what to do in the event of an opioid overdose and how to obtain and administer naloxone. In addition to adults, it can be used for children and even pets,” Aneziris said. “The main 2 ways that pharmacists can be involved in [National Poison Prevention Week] are through raising awareness and sharing education. Pharmacists have such versatile roles that there are many ways to do both.”

Aneziris shared ways that pharmacists can get involved in poison prevention. Printed patient materials, websites, and social media can be used to share information. Pharmacists can also present at community events.

“Information on how to handle emergencies is important to share. This includes resources such as how to contact the poison control center and where to obtain life-saving interventions like naloxone administration, [cardiopulmonary resuscitation], and first aid,” Aneziris said.

About the Author

Jennifer Gershman, PharmD, CPh, PACS, is a drug information pharmacist and Pharmacy Times contributor who resides in southern Florida.

REFERENCES

1. 2026 National Poison Prevention Week. America’s Poison Centers. Accessed January 6, 2026. https://poisoncenters.org/nppw

2. National Poison Prevention Week toolkit for partner organizations. America’s Poison Centers. Accessed January 11, 2026. https://piper.filecamp.com/s/i/OOt8k1JlBFCc08KH

3. 29th National Take Back Day. Drug Enforcement Administration. Accessed January 10, 2026. https://www.dea.gov/sites/default/files/2025-11/NTBI29%20Totals.pdf

4. Every day is Take Back Day. Drug Enforcement Administration. Accessed January 11, 2026. https://www.dea.gov/everyday-takeback-day

5. Funk OG, Yung R, Arrighi S, Lee S. Medication storage appropriateness in US households. Innov Pharm. 2021;12(2):10.24926/iip.v12i2.3822. doi:10.24926/iip.v12i2.3822

6. Get help online or by phone. Poison Control. Accessed January 10, 2025. https://www.poison.org/