NCPA and Purdue Pharma remind families to safeguard their prescription medicines over holidays

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The National Community Pharmacists Association and Purdue Pharma on Wednesday announced the two organizations are working together to remind parents, grandparents and other family members about simple steps that can be taken to protect prescription medicines this holiday season through their national educational initiative, Safeguard My Meds.

“As a community pharmacist and mother, I understand how critical it is to keep prescription medicines from falling into the wrong hands,” stated Michele Belcher, NCPA second VP. “Every day more than 2,500 teenagers abuse prescription medication for the first time. Proper storage and disposal of prescription medicines in the home can play a vital role in preventing misuse and abuse.”

NCPA and Purdue Pharma suggest that families use a locked storage container to store prescription medicines at greater risk of being abused, including pain relievers, tranquilizers, stimulants and anti-depressants, and to keep track of medications with the Medicine Inventory Sheet, which can be found at www.SafeguardMyMeds.org.