Empowering communities through OTC Medicine Safety
Anh Tuan “Nicholas” Phan, PharmD, is a PGY1 resident at Greater Lawrence Family Health Center in Lawrence, MA; Ngoc Phuong Mai Le, PharmD, is a medical affairs post-doctoral fellow at The University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill and United Therapeutics; and Gi Eun (Jemma) Han is a final-year PharmD candidate at the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences–Boston.
The Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (MCPHS)–Boston APhA–ASP Chapter received the 2022–2023 OTC Medicine Safety National Award at APhA’s 2024 Annual Meeting & Exposition for the impactful activities in promoting the safe use of OTC medications. Our diverse and comprehensive initiatives engaged both the local community and social media followers, raising awareness and providing education on various aspects of OTC medicine safety regionally and nationally.
Here are the key activities that contributed to this recognition.
Social media campaigns
The chapter designed and posted infographics on social media platforms to spread awareness about commonly used OTC medications. These visually engaging posts educated the public on safe medication practices, proper usage, and potential risks.
OTC herbal field trip
Chapter members visited Cambridge Naturals, a natural goods store that sells nutritional supplements in Massachusetts. This hands-on experience prepared members for patient counseling and enhanced their knowledge of herbal supplements commonly encountered in practice.
Integrating technology into health care
The chapter hosted an in-person event on campus with a focus on innovative technologies to improve health care delivery and patient outcomes. Different booths were set up and brochures were distributed to participants.
Outreach sessions
At the Brookline Senior Center, the topics of OTC medication usage in patients with diabetes and osteoporosis were delivered to educate seniors, while at Horizons for Homeless Children, chapter members prepared printed flyers and infographics on commonly used OTC cough and cold products to distribute to parents.
GERD Awareness Month celebration
The chapter ran an Instagram-based Q&A contest featuring story polls to raise awareness of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). A GERD 101 informational session was also organized with the International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders to discuss GERD and its pharmacotherapeutic treatment.
Destress with dogs
The chapter held an in-person event for participants to interact with dogs and de-stress while learning about OTC medications through Jeopardy games.
OTC vs. candy game night
A virtual Kahoot game night was held to help students differentiate between OTC medications and candy.
Drug Take-Back Day
The chapter prepared informational flyers to promote the safe disposal of unused medications.
OTC aisle walk tour
An in-person tour at the pharmacy lab was held to educate participants about various OTC products and their usage.
From Rx to OTC collaboration
Partnering with the Northeastern University Bouvé College of Health Sciences APhA–ASP Chapter, this event focused on the history and process of prescription medications that transitioned to OTC status.
Fresh check day
The chapter set up a booth to raise awareness about mental health and the potential abuse of OTC medications in the context of body image issues, including weight loss/gain.
OTC abuse trends
The chapter discussed past trends and recent challenges seen on social media platforms regarding OTC medications being abused and misused.
The passion of student pharmacists
The chapter would like to thank the OTC Medicine Safety committee members, patient care operations, staff, and faculty members who supported these activities. Most importantly, the chapter wants to express appreciation for the passionate student pharmacists who have made invaluable contributions to these initiatives.