The Ministry of Health and Social Development continues to encourage pharmacovigilance within the Territory and is urging the community to become educated about how medicines interact with food, drink medical conditions and lifestyle.

The ministry will present part three of a four part television series on pharmacovigilance which features information on how medicines interact.  This information is expected to empower the community with the necessary tools to build capacity and to effectively manage their pharmaceutical use.

 Chief of Drugs and Pharmaceutical Services, Mrs. Gracia Wheatley Smith said the food we eat, what we drink, our medical conditions and our lifestyles can all interact with the medicines we take.  She said persons must adhere to the information given during the counseling session with the doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Mrs. Smith encouraged individuals who take or administer medicines to the elderly or children to also be aware and practice pharmacovigilance.

“We have done this television series to empower our community to make the best possible decisions pertaining to their pharmaceutical use.” The Chief said, adding, “We want you to dialog with your doctors, nurses and pharmacists whenever a prescription is prescribed to learn how to effectively use the medicine.”

According to Mrs. Smith the key message to be taken away from this programme is the importance of following the instructions as outlined by the health professionals.

Persons interested in learning more about how medicines interact are invited to tune into CBN channel 51 from today Wednesday, March 18 to Tuesday March 31 at 7:00 a.m., 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. daily.

The fourth and final programme associated with the pharmaducation series will address the Return Unused Unwanted Expired Medicines programme and will be released during the first week of April.

The Ministry of Health and Social Development is committed to enabling effective use and management of medicines.