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Date: March 19, 1998
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
Contact: FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, Print Media: 301­827­6242, 
Broadcast Media: 301­827­3434, Consumer Inquiries: 800­532­4440

FDA LAUNCHES NATIONWIDE CAMPAIGN TO HELP WOMEN USE MEDICINES WISELY

With 30 to 50 percent of Americans not taking their medications as prescribed, and the annual cost of preventable medicine­related illness estimated to be $76.6 billion, the Food and Drug Administration today launched a nationwide campaign to educate women about the importance of properly using medicines.

The grassroots campaign, Women's Health: Take Time to Care, "Use Medicines Wisely" is primarily directed at women over 45, particularly those who are under­served. The focus is specifically on women because they often manage medications for their entire family as well as themselves. The campaign will help women learn more about important medication issues, including preventing interactions between drugs, following usage instructions, keeping track of medication regimens and getting professional advice.

"In many households, women are the primary caregivers for their children and, increasingly, their own parents. Often their own health is overlooked in the process," said HHS Secretary Donna E. Shalala. "By taking time to learn to use medicines wisely, women will be able to take better care of themselves and their families."

"Not following a drug regimen can have serious consequences," said Michael A. Friedman, M.D. FDA's Lead Deputy Commissioner. "The campaign's goal is to bring home the fact that medicines usually work best when taken as prescribed."

The FDA Office of Women's Health has partnered with the National Association of Chain Drug Stores, and a broad network of consumer organizations, women's groups, health care providers, health institutions and government agencies to develop the "Take Time to Care" campaign. These organizations include the League of Women Voters, American Heart Association, National Black Nurses Association, and American Association for Retired Persons.

The National Association of Chain Drugs Stores also announced today that it will distribute the FDA campaign brochure, "My Medicines", containing health care tips in English and Spanish, to more than 3,500 drug stores nationwide.

The public awareness campaign will include a tour of fifteen cities, beginning in San Francisco on March 21, where workshops and other community activities are being planned.

Events being held in San Francisco the week of March 21 include more than 40 neighborhood activities sponsored by the San Francisco Health Department, University of California at San Francisco School of Pharmacy, La Raza, Area Agency on Aging, National Council of Negro Women and others.

FDA also plans to bring the program to rural communities and Indian reservations in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Indian Health Service.

In addition to San Francisco (March 21 ­ 28), the tour will include the following cities:

Atlanta (April)
Indianapolis (April)
Minneapolis (May)
Nashville (May)
Denver (June)
Houston (July)
Anchorage (August)
New Orleans (August)
Baltimore (September)
Cleveland (September)
Phoenix (October)
Seattle (November)
St. Louis (November)
Miami (December)

Note: HHS press releases are available on the World Wide Web at: www.hhs.gov.