Difference between revisions of "Reduce Non-Medical Access to Prescription Drugs"

From SAFE Solutions
Jump to navigation Jump to search
user>K.castelo
user>K.castelo
Line 12: Line 12:
= Key Information =
= Key Information =


Please capture a deeper dive of the content in this section, to include any relevant subtopics or important things happening in the field the reader should be situationally aware of right now. You may have multiple paragraphs here with subtitles, if needed. While are not the experts and do not need to write out every detail about the subtopic like a research paper, we should make an attempt to fully capture the landscape of important things to know and link to any external information that may be helpful if the reader wants to learn more information.
Safe storage of prescription drugs within the home has been identified as key priority strategy by many organizations and coalitions.<ref>1. https://www.end-opioid-epidemic.org/storage-and-disposal/</ref>&nbsp;Even if a community does an excellent job of reducing prescriptions and taking back or disposing of unused opioids, there will still be a lot of opioids in communities.<ref>1. http://www.rxsafetymatters.org/families-and-communities/safe-storage-and-disposal/</ref> Researchers estimated that in 2005, 3-4% of people were being prescribed opioids for chronic pain<ref>https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/65/rr/rr6501e1.htm</ref>&nbsp;and many others are legitimately being prescribed opioids for short-term pain management, and many others who are prescribed other drugs that can be misused, stolen or accidentally consumed by children.<br/> &nbsp;
 
Failure to securely store prescription drugs contributes to the opioid epidemic and other health hazards in several ways.
 
1. Easy access to prescription drugs can lead to initial experimentation, especially by teens.1.<ref>http://makeitasafehome.org/the-problem/</ref>
 
2. Stealing prescription drugs, which is much easier when they are commonly available in unlocked medicine cabinets, is often a step toward more destructive misuse.
 
3. Easy access to unsecured opioids or other prescription drugs contributes to theft by people who sell them or give them away.
 
4. Children who access unsecured drugs sometimes take them, thinking they are candy.
 
<div style="border-bottom:solid #a2a9b1 1.0pt; padding:0in 0in 0in 0in">
<span style="line-height:normal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:19.0pt"><span style="font-family:" georgia",serif"=""><span style="color:black">Staggering Statistics</span></span></span></span>
</div>
Only 2 in 10 who have dangerous medications—such as opioid pain pills, stimulants used to treat ADHD, and sedatives—lock them up Nearly 70% of prescription opioid medications kept in homes with children are not stored safely<ref> https://www.jhsph.edu/news/news-releases/2017/majority-of-opioid-medications-not-safely-stored-in-home-with-children-survey-finds.html</ref>.&nbsp; &nbsp;
 
A recent study of adults living in households with children, prescription opioids were stored in a locked or latched place in only 32.6% of households with young children and 11.7% with older children.<ref> https://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/139/3/e20162161</ref><br/> <br/> More than 1,600 teens begin abusing prescription drugs each day.<ref>1. http://www.rxsafetymatters.org/families-and-communities/facts-and-figures/</ref><br/> <br/> Almost 1 in every 4 teens in America say they have misused or abused a prescription drug.<ref> http://www.rxsafetymatters.org/families-and-communities/facts-and-figures/</ref><br/> <br/> 60,000 kids under the age of 5 accidentally ingest these dangerous drugs every year and wind up in emergency rooms, according to data from the CDC<ref>http://www.consumerreports.org/drugs/best-ways-to-protect-kids-accidental-drug-poisoning-/</ref><br/> <br/> 12-17 year olds abuse prescription drugs more than ecstasy, heroin, crack/cocaine and methamphetamines combined.<ref>1. http://www.rxsafetymatters.org/families-and-communities/facts-and-figures/</ref><br/> <br/> In one study, respondents reported storing their opioid medication in a locked (8.6%) or latched (20.9%) location.<ref>Kennedy-Hendricks A, et al. “Medication sharing, storage and disposal practices for opioid medications among US adults.” JAMA Intern Med 2016; 176:1027-29.</ref><br/> <br/> San Diego's SafeHomes Coalition reports that more than 70% of misused prescription drugs come from someone's medicine cabinet, not from a dealer on the street.<ref>1. http://makeitasafehome.org/the-problem/</ref><br/> <br/> The National Drug Intelligence Center reported that $184 million in prescription drug thefts occurred in 2010—a 350 percent increase since 2007. They note that older people are especially vulnerable to theft of prescription drugs.<ref>https://www.nnw.org/publication/medication-theft-protecting-our-most-vulnerable-neighbors</ref>&nbsp; Over half of teens, ages 12 and up, obtained prescription drugs from a friend or family member "for free"<br/> &nbsp;
 
'''Programs to Encourage Safe Storage and Reduce the Theft of Prescription Drugs'''<br/> <br/> '''''Examples of Campaigns and Organzations Supporting Safe Storage'''''<br/> <br/> <br/> '''SafeHomes Coalition''' helps communities start programs to raise awareness of the proper use, storage and disposal of prescription drugs. (They can help your community start a chapter.) This SafeHomes PSA provides more information.
 
'''Up and Away Campaign'''<br/> This campaign is designed to remind families about the importance of safe medicine storage. See Tools & Resources for resources to distribute in your community.<br/> <br/> '''Launching Community-wide Collaborative Campaigns'''<br/> Drug Disposal and Safe Storage Campaign<br/> Many communities have done some education and awareness efforts to increase prescription drug disposal and safe storage, but there is potential to reach significantly more people by engaging a diverse group of cross-sector partners in a campaign.
 
See Details:&nbsp; Collaborative campaign to increase safe storage and prescription drug disposal.<br/> &nbsp;
 
'''Self-Funding Program for Safe Storage Caps (TimerCaps)'''<br/> A local coalition, hospital, insurance company or non-profit can sponsor a program to distribute TimerCaps to people using prescription drugs. Sponsors have their logo imprinted on the cap and the label and can give them away at community events or via partners like pharmacists, community groups for seniors, or the prescribing doctors.
 
''See Details: Self-Funding Safe Storage campaign.''<br/> <br/> &nbsp;<br/> '''Safe Storage Products'''<br/> Below are list of products that can either be distributed within your community or advertised by community coalitions for families to purchase.<br/> &nbsp;<br/> '''TimerCaps'''<br/> <br/> TimerCap has a built-in LCD stopwatch timer. Like a stopwatch, the display on the cap counts-up, first the seconds, then minutes and hours since the cap was replaced.&nbsp; Timer caps come in different sizes, and they can replace an existing medicine bottle cap (or you can get a cap and bottle combination). Using a TimerCap helps accomplish all six principles of prescription abuse prevention. TimerCaps are easy to use and don't require a change in patient behavior.
 
'''Improve Patient Safety'''
 
Provide the PEACE OF MIND of knowing they did or did not take their medication.<br/> Help seniors avoid accidental overdoses and emergency room visits due to accidentally taking medications multiple times.<br/> Easily know how long it has been since taking medication (to check before driving)<br/> Tracker form to help monitor their intake and pain levels or other information
 
'''Deter Theft of Pills'''
 
Easily detect unwanted openings to the exact minute it happened<br/> Deters kids or neighbors from sneaking a few pills--as they would be caught by the new time<br/> Solution to measure, monitor, manage, detect,and deter opioids abuse.
 
'''Economical Enough to Give Away at Events or by Partners'''<br/> TimerCaps<ref>Visit www.timercap.com</ref> are a low-cost option for improving safe storage (as low as $2.49 each), so they are economical as a give-away at educational events, or they can be given to people by community partners. Since the TimerCap lids and labels can be customized with a logo or other branding information, sponsors who make donations to fund the program receive valuable recognition for their support.&nbsp;<br/> &nbsp;<br/> '''Locking Storage Devices'''<br/> '''''Ikeyp'''''<ref>https://www.ikeyp.com/</ref>&nbsp; The world's first smart storage device for personal items that need to be securely stored yet regularly accessed. See website for a comprehensive list of uses and products.&nbsp;<br/> <br/> '''''Gadgetgram<ref>https://www.gadgetgram.com/</ref>&nbsp;'''''Coordinated community-wide effort to promote safe storage of prescription drugs, bulk purchase discounts may be available.<br/> <br/> '''Lockable Caps'''<br/> Safer Lock-Safer Lock is a patented 4-digit combination locking cap. This could be purchased by communities at wholesale prices and distributed to community members at lower prices.
 
*Safer Lock
*Safer Lock Box
*Safer Lock Multi-Packs & Cases
*Book Safe
 
'''Changing Drug Packaging'''<br/> Packaging opioid drugs in blister packs , or in single-dose packages, instead of having an entire bottle filled with prescription pills have been shown to help prevent accident poisonings in children<ref>1. http://www.livescience.com/58351-kids-opioids-ingestion.html</ref><br/> <br/> One vendor of Single-dose packets is Pack4U. They provide a sophisticated, personalized option that allows pharmacies to deliver higher value to patients needing any prescriptions, including opioids.<br/> <br/> '''Education Topics'''<br/> '''''Educate Parents on Key Points'''''<br/> The most secure way to keep prescription medications is in a locked storage box up and away If locking them is not an option keep them stored in a secured place in your home that is up and away from children. Keep a medication log so you know what medications you have and how many you have of each medication.<br/> You should try to do an inventory of all the medicines you have at least once a year, preferably every six months.<ref>1. http://www.youthconnectionscoalition.org/content/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/safe_storage.pdf</ref><br/> <br/> Medications whose labels specify that refrigeration is necessary should always be kept in the refrigerator. The medicine cabinet in a bathroom is often not the best place to store prescriptions. They should be stored in a cool dry place. Humidity, heat, and the change in temperatures in the bathroom can alter the potency of some medications.<ref>http://www.youthconnectionscoalition.org/content/reduce-rx-abuse-2/the-proper-storage-of-prescription-drugs/</ref>&nbsp; Some storage devices, such as iKeyp, can help protect medications from humidity, even if stored in bathrooms.
 
&nbsp;
<div style="border-bottom:solid #a2a9b1 1.0pt; padding:0in 0in 0in 0in">
&nbsp;
</div>


= Relevant Research =
= Relevant Research =


In this section, please capture any recent findings, reports, or data on the topic. Please also highlight any gaps or existing disparities. Please include references and links to the information so that we may add a footnote for the reader to find further information. Do we have any available research about discriminatory practices? Is there information about the value of access to educational opportunities?
Case Study of Successful Coalition Campaign with TimerCaps
 
South Kingston Program for Prevention and Rebels Inspiring Positive Lifestyles joined forces to raise funds to send youth leaders to CADCA training. The coalition held community awareness events and garnered local news publicity for their cause. For further details, see


= Impactful Federal, State, and Local Policies =
= Impactful Federal, State, and Local Policies =
Line 22: Line 73:
&nbsp;
&nbsp;


'''<span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.5pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:" arial",sans-serif"=""><span style="color:#222222">See Details:</span></span></span></span>'''<span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.5pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:" arial",sans-serif"=""><span style="color:#222222">[http://ifi-wikis.com/IFI-OpioidCrisis/index.php?title=Details_for_a_Self-Funding_Safe_Storage_campaign&action=edit&redlink=1 <span style="color:#ba0000">Self-Funding Safe Storage campaign</span>].</span></span></span></span>
'''<span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.5pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:"><span style="color:#222222">See Details:</span></span></span></span>'''<span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.5pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:"><span style="color:#222222">[http://ifi-wikis.com/IFI-OpioidCrisis/index.php?title=Details_for_a_Self-Funding_Safe_Storage_campaign&action=edit&redlink=1 <span style="color:#ba0000">Self-Funding Safe Storage campaign</span>].</span></span></span></span>


= Available Tools and Resources =
= Available Tools and Resources =

Revision as of 08:42, 29 September 2021

Return to ...

Brief Description

Introductory Paragraph

To minimize diversion, it is essential that people who have prescription medications in their homes store them safely.  When people begin to misuse prescription drugs, they often acquire them by stealing them from family, relatives, friends or from homes that they enter for other reasons (work, open houses, breaking and entering).  If prescription drugs are safely stored, misuse can be stopped earlier, because people who have not yet developed a dependence on opioids usually do not go directly to illegal opioids like heroin or fentanyl.   Prescription drugs that are not safely stored can also be accidentally taken by young children or by curious pre-teens.

Key Information

Safe storage of prescription drugs within the home has been identified as key priority strategy by many organizations and coalitions.[1] Even if a community does an excellent job of reducing prescriptions and taking back or disposing of unused opioids, there will still be a lot of opioids in communities.[2] Researchers estimated that in 2005, 3-4% of people were being prescribed opioids for chronic pain[3] and many others are legitimately being prescribed opioids for short-term pain management, and many others who are prescribed other drugs that can be misused, stolen or accidentally consumed by children.
 

Failure to securely store prescription drugs contributes to the opioid epidemic and other health hazards in several ways.

1. Easy access to prescription drugs can lead to initial experimentation, especially by teens.1.[4]

2. Stealing prescription drugs, which is much easier when they are commonly available in unlocked medicine cabinets, is often a step toward more destructive misuse.

3. Easy access to unsecured opioids or other prescription drugs contributes to theft by people who sell them or give them away.

4. Children who access unsecured drugs sometimes take them, thinking they are candy.

Staggering Statistics

Only 2 in 10 who have dangerous medications—such as opioid pain pills, stimulants used to treat ADHD, and sedatives—lock them up Nearly 70% of prescription opioid medications kept in homes with children are not stored safely[5].   

A recent study of adults living in households with children, prescription opioids were stored in a locked or latched place in only 32.6% of households with young children and 11.7% with older children.[6]

More than 1,600 teens begin abusing prescription drugs each day.[7]

Almost 1 in every 4 teens in America say they have misused or abused a prescription drug.[8]

60,000 kids under the age of 5 accidentally ingest these dangerous drugs every year and wind up in emergency rooms, according to data from the CDC[9]

12-17 year olds abuse prescription drugs more than ecstasy, heroin, crack/cocaine and methamphetamines combined.[10]

In one study, respondents reported storing their opioid medication in a locked (8.6%) or latched (20.9%) location.[11]

San Diego's SafeHomes Coalition reports that more than 70% of misused prescription drugs come from someone's medicine cabinet, not from a dealer on the street.[12]

The National Drug Intelligence Center reported that $184 million in prescription drug thefts occurred in 2010—a 350 percent increase since 2007. They note that older people are especially vulnerable to theft of prescription drugs.[13]  Over half of teens, ages 12 and up, obtained prescription drugs from a friend or family member "for free"
 

Programs to Encourage Safe Storage and Reduce the Theft of Prescription Drugs

Examples of Campaigns and Organzations Supporting Safe Storage


SafeHomes Coalition helps communities start programs to raise awareness of the proper use, storage and disposal of prescription drugs. (They can help your community start a chapter.) This SafeHomes PSA provides more information.

Up and Away Campaign
This campaign is designed to remind families about the importance of safe medicine storage. See Tools & Resources for resources to distribute in your community.

Launching Community-wide Collaborative Campaigns
Drug Disposal and Safe Storage Campaign
Many communities have done some education and awareness efforts to increase prescription drug disposal and safe storage, but there is potential to reach significantly more people by engaging a diverse group of cross-sector partners in a campaign.

See Details:  Collaborative campaign to increase safe storage and prescription drug disposal.
 

Self-Funding Program for Safe Storage Caps (TimerCaps)
A local coalition, hospital, insurance company or non-profit can sponsor a program to distribute TimerCaps to people using prescription drugs. Sponsors have their logo imprinted on the cap and the label and can give them away at community events or via partners like pharmacists, community groups for seniors, or the prescribing doctors.

See Details: Self-Funding Safe Storage campaign.

 
Safe Storage Products
Below are list of products that can either be distributed within your community or advertised by community coalitions for families to purchase.
 
TimerCaps

TimerCap has a built-in LCD stopwatch timer. Like a stopwatch, the display on the cap counts-up, first the seconds, then minutes and hours since the cap was replaced.  Timer caps come in different sizes, and they can replace an existing medicine bottle cap (or you can get a cap and bottle combination). Using a TimerCap helps accomplish all six principles of prescription abuse prevention. TimerCaps are easy to use and don't require a change in patient behavior.

Improve Patient Safety

Provide the PEACE OF MIND of knowing they did or did not take their medication.
Help seniors avoid accidental overdoses and emergency room visits due to accidentally taking medications multiple times.
Easily know how long it has been since taking medication (to check before driving)
Tracker form to help monitor their intake and pain levels or other information

Deter Theft of Pills

Easily detect unwanted openings to the exact minute it happened
Deters kids or neighbors from sneaking a few pills--as they would be caught by the new time
Solution to measure, monitor, manage, detect,and deter opioids abuse.

Economical Enough to Give Away at Events or by Partners
TimerCaps[14] are a low-cost option for improving safe storage (as low as $2.49 each), so they are economical as a give-away at educational events, or they can be given to people by community partners. Since the TimerCap lids and labels can be customized with a logo or other branding information, sponsors who make donations to fund the program receive valuable recognition for their support. 
 
Locking Storage Devices
Ikeyp[15]  The world's first smart storage device for personal items that need to be securely stored yet regularly accessed. See website for a comprehensive list of uses and products. 

Gadgetgram[16] Coordinated community-wide effort to promote safe storage of prescription drugs, bulk purchase discounts may be available.

Lockable Caps
Safer Lock-Safer Lock is a patented 4-digit combination locking cap. This could be purchased by communities at wholesale prices and distributed to community members at lower prices.

  • Safer Lock
  • Safer Lock Box
  • Safer Lock Multi-Packs & Cases
  • Book Safe

Changing Drug Packaging
Packaging opioid drugs in blister packs , or in single-dose packages, instead of having an entire bottle filled with prescription pills have been shown to help prevent accident poisonings in children[17]

One vendor of Single-dose packets is Pack4U. They provide a sophisticated, personalized option that allows pharmacies to deliver higher value to patients needing any prescriptions, including opioids.

Education Topics
Educate Parents on Key Points
The most secure way to keep prescription medications is in a locked storage box up and away If locking them is not an option keep them stored in a secured place in your home that is up and away from children. Keep a medication log so you know what medications you have and how many you have of each medication.
You should try to do an inventory of all the medicines you have at least once a year, preferably every six months.[18]

Medications whose labels specify that refrigeration is necessary should always be kept in the refrigerator. The medicine cabinet in a bathroom is often not the best place to store prescriptions. They should be stored in a cool dry place. Humidity, heat, and the change in temperatures in the bathroom can alter the potency of some medications.[19]  Some storage devices, such as iKeyp, can help protect medications from humidity, even if stored in bathrooms.

 

 

Relevant Research

Case Study of Successful Coalition Campaign with TimerCaps

South Kingston Program for Prevention and Rebels Inspiring Positive Lifestyles joined forces to raise funds to send youth leaders to CADCA training. The coalition held community awareness events and garnered local news publicity for their cause. For further details, see

Impactful Federal, State, and Local Policies

 

See Details:Self-Funding Safe Storage campaign.

Available Tools and Resources

Oftentimes, there are already great resources in the field that have been developed, but they are not housed in a single place. Please use this section to share information about those resources and drive the reader to that resource. It may be a worksheet, toolkit, fact sheet, framework/model, infographic, new technology, etc. I suggest no more than 5 really good links and a corresponding description for the reader. We also can use this section to highlight some of the great resources and programs at SAFE Project.

Promising Practices

Please link to any best practice models or case studies that highlight creative/innovative or successful efforts in support of this strategy. Is there a community that does a really good job in this area that other communities should replicate? Please write a brief description and provide a link.

Sources

  1. ↑ 1. https://www.end-opioid-epidemic.org/storage-and-disposal/
  2. ↑ 1. http://www.rxsafetymatters.org/families-and-communities/safe-storage-and-disposal/
  3. ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/65/rr/rr6501e1.htm
  4. ↑ http://makeitasafehome.org/the-problem/
  5. ↑ https://www.jhsph.edu/news/news-releases/2017/majority-of-opioid-medications-not-safely-stored-in-home-with-children-survey-finds.html
  6. ↑ https://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/139/3/e20162161
  7. ↑ 1. http://www.rxsafetymatters.org/families-and-communities/facts-and-figures/
  8. ↑ http://www.rxsafetymatters.org/families-and-communities/facts-and-figures/
  9. ↑ http://www.consumerreports.org/drugs/best-ways-to-protect-kids-accidental-drug-poisoning-/
  10. ↑ 1. http://www.rxsafetymatters.org/families-and-communities/facts-and-figures/
  11. ↑ Kennedy-Hendricks A, et al. “Medication sharing, storage and disposal practices for opioid medications among US adults.” JAMA Intern Med 2016; 176:1027-29.
  12. ↑ 1. http://makeitasafehome.org/the-problem/
  13. ↑ https://www.nnw.org/publication/medication-theft-protecting-our-most-vulnerable-neighbors
  14. ↑ Visit www.timercap.com
  15. ↑ https://www.ikeyp.com/
  16. ↑ https://www.gadgetgram.com/
  17. ↑ 1. http://www.livescience.com/58351-kids-opioids-ingestion.html
  18. ↑ 1. http://www.youthconnectionscoalition.org/content/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/safe_storage.pdf
  19. ↑ http://www.youthconnectionscoalition.org/content/reduce-rx-abuse-2/the-proper-storage-of-prescription-drugs/
Retrieved from "https://yoursafesolutions.us/mediawiki/index.php?title=Reduce_Non-Medical_Access_to_Prescription_Drugs&oldid=1321"