SOS Rx: National medication safety group...( the system and maintain and improve the...),Health

"AHRQ is proud to be a member of SOS Rx, a unique coalition that is bringing everyone to the table -- patients, advocates, providers, and industry -- to produce real changes in the health care system," said Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality director Carolyn M. Clancy, MD. "AHRQ's commitment to patient safety research, especially in the area of safe medication use, is intended to provide the kinds of tools needed to help make those changes a reality."

SOS Rx is initially funded by an unrestricted educational grant from founding sponsor Express Scripts. "Express Scripts' mission is to make the use of prescription drugs safer, as well as affordable, so we're very pleased to collaborate with the National Consumers League in launching SOS Rx with the support of such a wide range of organizations committed to greater safety," said Barrett Toan, chief executive officer of Express Scripts.

SOS Rx Campaigns

The SOS Rx coalition's work is two-tiered, aiming to produce both behavior changes in consumers through education efforts and institutional changes within the health care system through advocacy.

• Consumer Education: This fall, SOS Rx will embark upon a comprehensive educational effort targeting consumers' use of high-risk drugs, such as warfarin (a blood thinner used to treat or prevent blood clots), that are associated with high numbers of adverse drug events. Consumers will be informed that other medications and substances they may be taking -- prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, dietary supplements and herbals, as well as food -- could dangerously interact with their prescribed medication.
• Healthcare System Advocacy: SOS Rx is currently exploring the most effective ways to promote system-wide changes, including:
  • The creation of a clearinghouse of safe practices for high-risk situations related to outpatient medication. Practitione
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  Contact: Carol McKay or Mark Fernando
  media@nclnet.org
  202-835-3323
  National Consumers League
  6-Apr-2004
  
  
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