Medicines play an important role in preventing, managing and treating illness. When used correctly, they can help people recover from disease, manage chronic conditions, prevent complications and improve their quality of life.
The Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH) is encouraging communities to use medicines responsibly by taking treatment as prescribed, storing medicines correctly, safely disposing of unused or expired medication and consulting healthcare professionals when they have questions or concerns.
Take medicines as prescribed
Medicines can only provide their intended health benefits when they are used correctly and consistently.
Skipping doses, taking medication incorrectly or stopping treatment without consulting a healthcare professional can reduce the effectiveness of treatment and place patients at risk of serious health complications.
Treatment adherence is particularly important for people living with chronic conditions such as HIV, tuberculosis (TB), hypertension, diabetes, asthma, epilepsy and mental health conditions.
Taking medication as prescribed helps keep these conditions under control, prevents disease progression and reduces the risk of hospitalisation and other complications.
Never share prescription medicines
The GDoH is also reminding the public that prescribed medicines should never be shared with family members, friends or neighbours, even if their symptoms appear to be similar.
Prescriptions are based on an individual’s specific health condition, medical history and treatment needs. A medicine that is safe and effective for one person could be harmful to another.
Use antibiotics responsibly
The Department is discouraging the misuse of antibiotics and promoting their responsible use.
Antibiotics are used to treat bacterial infections and are not effective against viral illnesses such as influenza and the common cold.
The unnecessary use of antibiotics contributes to antimicrobial resistance, which can make infections more difficult to treat and increase the risk of complications, including during surgical procedures and other medical treatments.
Patients who are prescribed antibiotics should take them exactly as directed and complete the full course of treatment, even if they begin feeling better.
Anyone experiencing side effects or having concerns about their treatment should consult a healthcare professional before making any changes.
Store medicines correctly
Proper storage is also important for maintaining the safety, quality and effectiveness of medicines.
Medicines should be stored according to the instructions on the packaging or those provided by the healthcare professional who prescribed or dispensed them.
The public is advised to:
Keep medicines in their original packaging.Keep medicines out of reach of children.Keep medicines away from direct sunlight.Protect medicines from excessive heat and moisture.Seek advice from a pharmacist if unsure about storage requirements.
Not all medicines require refrigeration.
Dispose of unused and expired medicines safely
The GDoH is encouraging the public to regularly check their medicine cabinets and safely dispose of medicines that have expired or are no longer needed.
Unused medicines should never be thrown into toilets, sinks or drains, as this can pose a risk to public health and the environment.
Instead, members of the public are encouraged to return unused or expired medicines to a pharmacy, clinic or hospital for safe and appropriate disposal.
The Department also advises people not to keep medicines they no longer need or give them to someone else.
Stay up to date with vaccinations
The GDoH also reminded the public that vaccination remains one of the most effective ways to prevent disease and protect public health.
Ensuring that children and adults are up to date with recommended vaccinations helps protect individuals, families and communities against vaccine-preventable diseases and their complications.
Ask questions about your treatment
The Department is encouraging patients to take an active role in their healthcare by asking questions about their treatment.
Before leaving a clinic, hospital or pharmacy, patients should understand:
What the medicine is for.How and when it should be taken.How it should be stored.What the possible side effects are.What to do if a dose is missed.Pharmacists play an important role
September is recognised as Pharmacy Awareness Month, observed under the theme “Empowering Pharmacists for Healthier Futures”.
The theme recognises the role pharmacists play in improving access to healthcare, promoting medicine safety and strengthening health systems.
Pharmacists and pharmacist assistants support patients through medicine counselling, treatment adherence support, healthcare education and the promotion of safe and responsible medicine use.
The GDoH is encouraging communities to make use of their expertise when they need advice about their treatment.
IOL