Medication Record Book Initiative Announced

Nova Scotia seniors will get help managing their medications through a joint initiative of the Senior Citizens' Secretariat, Canada's Research-Based Pharmaceutical Companies(Rx&D) and the Department of Health. The initiative was announced today, June 3, by Valerie White, executive director of the Senior Citizens' Secretariat at the Nova Scotia Senior Citizens' Secretariat's spring consultation.

"Some seniors juggle many prescription and non-prescription medications that, if used incorrectly, can cause health problems," said Health Minister Jane Purves. "This initiative will give seniors the tools they need to keep better track of their medications, with help from their doctors and pharmacists."

Each month more than 600 Nova Scotians will receive a Medication Record book and a brochure entitled Knowledge Is The Best Medicine. The record book is compact, so seniors are able to carry it with them to record important health and medication information. Seniors can keep track of prescription or non- prescription drugs on their own, or by having their pharmacist update the book each time they buy new medication.

"This project will go a long way to improve quality of life for our seniors," said medication awareness committee chair John Harwood. "We are already in the planning stages for other medication awareness initiatives that will build on the record book project."

Seniors are encouraged to carry the Medication Record with them at all times, so they can show it to their doctor at each visit. This will allow the doctor to identify drug interactions or side effects that might cause health problems. The record book and brochure will also encourage more communication between seniors and their pharmacists.

"Canada's Research-Based Pharmaceutical Companies (Rx&D) are pleased to support an initiative that will improve health outcomes for Nova Scotia seniors," said Leo Van Dijk, Rx&D representative. "The Knowledge Is The Best Medicine brochure and Medication Record book will help seniors understand what medications they are taking, why they are talking them, how they should take them and what the side effects might be."

The initiative is possible through the collaboration of Canada's Research-Based Pharmaceutical Companies (Rx&D), the Senior Citizens' Secretariat and the Department of Health. The brochure and record book are being funded by Rx&D.

The tools will be distributed by the Department of Health to Nova Scotians two months before their 65th birthday. More than 7,000 seniors will receive the record book and brochure over the next year.

Seniors who have already turned 65 and would like to receive the booklet can contact the Nova Scotia Senior Citizens' Secretariat's toll-free information line at 1-800-670-0065 or Rx&D at 1-800-363-0203.