DRUG USE MISTAKES CAN BE DEADLY

They call it "the hidden epidemic."

As many as 12,000 Canadians die every year from incorrectly taken
medication, the Alberta Pharmaceutical Association says.

Jeff May, a Calgary pharmacist and president-elect of the APA, launched a
campaign in the city Monday to educate consumers about the proper use of
medications - especially over-the counter drugs.

"There's no doubt misuse of drugs is a major health issue. It's estimated
that 50 per cent of all prescriptions dispensed are not used properly," May
said.

Inappropriately used drugs cost the Canadian health system an estimated $7
billion to $8 million a year, May told a news conference at the Kerby Centre
for seniors to mark Pharmacy Awareness week.

Betty McCreight, first vice-president of the Kerby Centre, said seniors are
the highest users of drugs, which can help them remain healthy as they age.

But "we recognize they are often over-medicated," she said, stressing it's
important for patients to tell doctors what over-the-counter medications
they're taking so that possible drug interactions can be avoided.

But she has another major concern that too many drugs, which were once
available only by prescription, are now being sold over the counter with too
little control. This also means non-prescription drugs are not available on
Blue Cross' program for seniors on low incomes, says McCreight, 75.

Calgary emergency physician Dr. Willy Kalmanovitch, said people should know
what they are taking and why. "And most importantly, protect your children
from it."

The pharmacists' campaign is aimed at non-prescription drugs like cough
medicine, echinacea or Aspirin, which many people assume to be harmless, and
which are used by 50 per cent of the population every week, May said.

In Alberta, Foothills Hospital poison and drug information service
documented 1,061 cases of poisoning in children under the age of five from
errors in administration of drugs in the 1997-98 fiscal year, May added.

An Ontario study showed 10 per cent of seniors' admissions to hospital were
due to medication misuse, May said.