FDA education program for over-the-counter medications

The US Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER), in cooperation with the National Council on Patient Information and Education (NCPIE) and Maryland's Montgomery County Public Schools, has launched "Medicines in My Home," an interactive educational program about the safe and effective use of over-the-counter medicines, located at www.fda.gov/medsinmyhome. The website includes a "Teachers Room," featuring a PowerPoint presentation, pre- and post test, in class lesson materials, and materials and activities for use in the home with family members. Key concepts students will learn from the program are:

1. The Drug Facts label tells you what a medicine treats, if it is right for you and your problem, and how to use the medicine;
2. Read the label and follow the directions carefully and correctly;
3. Two medicines with the same active ingredient shouldn't be used at the same time; and,
4. Measure medicines correctly with measuring tools made for medicines.

The program emphasizes that medicines should be used only with permission from an adult and that if there are questions about medicine use, ask a pharmacist or doctor. Materials are provided to encourage students to share what they learn with their families so that all family members can learn to use over-the-counter medicines more safely.