Bring Your Medications To Health Night

August 15, 2002

ROME – In recognition of “Talk About Prescriptions Month,” Rome Memorial Hospital is hosting a medication workshop 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 3, at Health Night.

Participants are invited to bring in their medications, including prescriptions and any over-the-counter medications and herbal remedies, for a review by one of four Rome Memorial Hospital pharmacists. The free workshop will be held in the hospital’s classroom on the first floor at 1500 N. James St.

The pharmacists participating in the “Brown Bag Medication Workshop” include: David Lee, RPH; Dawn Hewitt, RPH; Dawn Ayers, RPH; and Wendy LaBarre, RPH.  The workshop will start with a 10-minute overview followed by the medication review.

“People usually don’t inform their doctor or their pharmacist if they’ve started taking herbs or an over-the-counter medication.  Some people also use multiple pharmacies for their prescriptions,” Lee said.  “When there’s not a single professional that is aware of all of the medications a person is taking, there is the potential for drug interactions and medication errors.”

The pharmacists will help identify outdated drugs and potential drug interactions.  They will address side-effects, drug warnings, and the importance of taking medications as directed.  They will also help participants understand why they’ve been prescribed a medication if they’re unsure of its usage.

“Please bring medications in their original containers, if you have them,” Lee said.  “If you don’t have the original container, still bring them so we can ensure that they are correctly identified.”

Health Night is a monthly lecture series, sponsored by Rome Memorial Hospital. Advance registration is not required.  Refreshments will be served. For more information, please call 338-7143.