Medication Safe

The following article is from:
http://sev.prnewswire.com/health-care-hospitals/20080128/DC1255028012008-1.html

Leading makers of OTC medicines working to raise awareness of this need among parents, healthcare professionals

WASHINGTON, Jan. 28 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — A government report published today by the journal Pediatrics shows that the number of emergency room visits by children attributable to pediatric over-the-counter (OTC) or prescription cough and cold medicines are rare — and of these visits, a vast majority were to due to accidental ingestion. The review was prepared by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Linda A. Suydam, president, Consumer Healthcare Products Association, commented on the analysis, stating: “This CDC review puts the overall discussion of pediatric cough and cold remedies into perspective by focusing on concrete data that address the real issue. These medicines are safe when used as directed, and this government review underscores the importance of educating consumers — especially those with small children — on the safe use and safekeeping of medicine.”

CHPA has been working to educate consumers that safe use and safekeeping of all medicines can be critical in preventing adverse events. “Safety and the safe use of our medicines are our top priority, so it is important that we understand the root causes of any adverse event, and raise awareness about storing medicines safely out of the reach of children,” said Suydam.

According to the CDC report, unsupervised ingestions of either prescription or OTC cough and cold medicines account for two-thirds of emergency department visits related to OTC and prescription cough and cold medicines. This examination of emergency room data reinforces and further validates nationwide poison control data. An independent analysis of the American Association of Poison Control Centers’ database also demonstrates that accidental ingestion by children ages 2-5 accounts for two-thirds of non-fatal adverse events. Richard Dart, M.D., director, Rocky Mountain Poison and Drug Center, said: “Today’s review by the CDC is consistent with the findings of an independent panel of medical experts. The risks can be addressed by educating consumers to follow the directions on the package label and perhaps other techniques.”

“CHPA’s member companies remain committed to ensuring that all OTC oral pediatric cough and cold medicines are packaged appropriately,” Suydam emphasized. “The leading makers of these medicines have been moving ahead rapidly on this front, so that child-resistant packaging will be voluntarily added even where it is not required.”

CHPA is also engaging parents in an expanded education campaign focusing on the importance of using and storing all medicines safely. This effort includes an educational web site, OTCsafety.org, which is designed to provide parents, caregivers, and healthcare professionals with helpful reminders on how to use and store OTC medicines safely.

“Real-life experience shows that most parents use these medicines safely and are satisfied with how they treat their child’s cough and cold symptoms,” Suydam said.

CHPA is the 127-year-old-trade association representing U.S. manufacturers and distributors of over-the-counter medicines and nutritional supplement products.

www.chpa-info.org

Website: http://otcsafety.org//
Website: http://www.chpa-info.org/

Each year, approximately 2.4 million people - more than half under age 6 - swallow or have contact with a poisonous substance. As poison prevention, and appropriate, immediate treatment to poison contact or ingestion, are critical to keeping your child safe, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has some important tips.

To poison proof your home:

Most poisonings occur when parents or caregivers are home but not paying attention. The most dangerous potential poisons are medicines, cleaning products, antifreeze, windshield wiper fluid, pesticides, furniture polish, gasoline, kerosene and lamp oil. Be especially vigilant when there is a change in routine. Holidays, visits to and from grandparents’ homes, and other special events may bring greater risk of poisoning if the usual safeguards are defeated or not in place.

·  Store medicine, cleaners, paints/varnishes and pesticides in their original packaging in locked cabinets or containers, out of sight and reach of children.

·  Install a safety latch - that locks when you close the door - on child-accessible cabinets containing harmful products.

·  Purchase and keep all medicines in containers with safety caps. Discard unused medication.

·  Never refer to medicine as “candy” or another appealing name.

·  Check the label each time you give a child medicine to ensure proper dosage.

·  Never place poisonous products in food or drink containers.

·  Keep coal, wood or kerosene stoves in safe working order.

·  Maintain working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.

Treatment

If your child is unconscious, not breathing, or having convulsions or seizures due to poison contact or ingestion, call 911 or your local emergency number immediately. If your child has come in contact with poison, and has mild or no symptoms, call your poison control center at 1-800-222-1222

Different types and methods of poisoning require different, immediate treatment:

·  Swallowed poison - Remove the item from the child, and have the child spit out any remaining substance. Do not make your child vomit. Do not use syrup of ipecac.

·  Skin poison — Remove the child’s clothes and rinse the skin with lukewarm water for at least 15 minutes.

·  Eye poison — Flush the child’s eye by holding the eyelid open and pouring a steady stream of room temperature water into the inner corner.

·  Poisonous fumes - Take the child outside or into fresh air immediately. If the child has stopped breathing, start cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and do not stop until the child breathes on his or her own, or until someone can take over.

From the American Academy of Pediatrics, 2/08

The American Association of Poison Control Centers collects data transmitted to them through 61 poison control centers located throughout the Nation. The report is called, the Annual Report of the American Association of Poison Control Centers’ National Poisoning and Exposure Database.

The 2005 data was published in the Journal-Clinical Toxicology 44:803-932, 2006.

From the 2005 data:
There were 1,233,695 total exposures in children less than or equal to 5 years old. Of these, about 35% involved both prescription and non-prescription medications.
In this group there were 24 reported fatalities.
Fourteen of the deaths were related to medications (one from a non-prescription medication and 13 from prescription medications).

These data highlight the fact that the most dangerous ingestions in children are those in which prescription medications are involved. You need a way to be CERTAIN that your child will not be able to get into medications. You also need to be certain that they will not get into medications at the home of your elderly relatives since: “The average number of prescriptions per elderly person grew from 19.6in 1992 to 28.5 in 2000, an increase of 45 percent. By 2010, the average number of prescriptions per elderly person is projected to grow to 38.5, an increase of 10 prescriptions, or 35 percent, per senior since 2000.”

 We need to explore ways to poison proof homes so that you know you have done everything possible to keep your child safe from the dangers of poisoning.