Tylenol initiates OTC meds education program
Tylenol initiates OTC meds education program
McNeil Consumer Products Company in Washington, DC, manufacturer of Chil dren's and Infants' Tylenol, has created Be SAFE, a bilingual, nationwide consumer-education program to alert parents to the safe use of over-the-counter (OTC) medicines for children. Be SAFE is an acronym derived from the four-part message:
S = See the label for complete instructions.
A = Ask a doctor, pharmacist, or other health care professional if you have any questions about the use of the product.
F = Follow the directions carefully.
E = Enter the time and amount of each dose in a medication log for quick, easy reference.
With the creation of Be SAFE, McNeil has expanded its KidCare program, launched in 1992, to an annual distribution of more than 10 million educational pieces. Printed in English and Spanish, Be SAFE posters, tip cards, and flyers are being sent to 50,000 pharmacists, 20,000 day care centers and clinics, and 25,000 doctors nationwide. Available also to home care agencies and day care centers, the materials are available through McNeil's 800 number. As company spokeswoman Ellen Morrison of D. J. Storch & Associates in Summit, NJ, explains, "McNeil not only encourages caregivers to pass this material on to parents, but would be delighted to have them request it from us." She adds that Storch & Associates must limit the distribution of Be SAFE kits to one per parent.
The producers of children's Tylenol have focused their Be SAFE campaign on educating parents to observe basic safety issues, such as:
· Never "mix" or "match" OTC drugs designed for adults by reducing or changing doses to give to children. When in doubt, contact your pediatrician or local clinic.
· Never replace measuring devices with kitchen or household spoons, cups, etc.
· Always administer doses appropriate to child's weight rather than age.
· Don't give a child two or more OTC medi cines, such as "cold" and "fever" drugs - most contain acetaminophen and can result in overdosing.
· Always keep OTC and other medicine in childproof containers out of the reach of children.
· Immediately contact your physician, poison control center, or emergency department.
Conducting its Be SAFE program in cooperation with the American Pharmaceutical Association, McNeil hopes to raise public awareness of the importance of using all OCT medicines for children and infants correctly, thereby reducing serious health problems.
To request Be SAFE material, call McNeil Consumer Products at (800) 472-3923 or D.J. Storch & Associates at (908) 273-1400, or by writing to Ellen Morrison, D. J. Storch & Associates, 350 Springfield Ave., Summit, NJ 07901.
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