Take medicines safely - inform pharmacies

For many medications, important details have to be taken into account as part of the intake, which is why the AOK Bavaria, together with the Bavarian Pharmacists Association (BAV), informs about the potential risks in 298 pharmacies in Central Franconia for the sixth time with the action "safely taking medicines". From the beginning of May until the end of June, AOK insured persons can have their medicines checked for possible interactions with other medicines on the spot in the pharmacies and informed about possible revenue errors or the correct use.

According to the data of the Federal Association of German Pharmacists Associations (ABDA), "every third prescribed drug is in need of particular advice only because of the dosage form." There is an increased need for information on the dosage form. Added to this is the need for advice on possible interactions with other drugs taken. In 298 pharmacies in Central Franconia, AOK insurants can therefore have their medication checked from May 1 to June 30 from these points of view.

Impending health impairments in revenue errors
"Many drugs are more complicated to use than commonly thought," explains Dr. Andreas Kiefer, President of the Federal Chamber of Pharmacists. Although it is comparatively easy to swallow a tablet without chewing, but "inject yourself insulin or inhale properly with a powder inhaler" fall many sufferers significantly heavier. The AOK Mittelfranken reports that in addition many patients who take long-term medication, prematurely discontinue it or change their dosage on their own initiative. However, if used incorrectly, the efficacy of a preparation may be compromised and threatened with adverse effects, including immediate health effects. Therefore, "every patient in the pharmacy should be able to show or explain the correct use of his medication," says Kiefer.

Advice for AOK insured
As part of the AOK campaign, many pharmacies offer customer service in English, French, Russian and Turkish, according to AOK. In order to receive appropriate counseling, AOK insured persons simply need to check in advance which medicines they are currently taking, add them to the attached list of medicines and then go to one of the 298 AOK partner pharmacies. Further information on the campaign will be available to interested parties at a corresponding information flyer, in all AOK branches or in one of the participating partner pharmacies in Middle Franconia, according to the AOK release. (Fp)

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Picture credits: Bernd Kasper