Before you take it…Know Check Ask

The Federation Ageing Well Committee in conjunction with Federation Council is launching the Know Check Ask Campaign. 

Federation Council Mayor, Cr Patrick Bourke said, “Know Check Ask promotes the use of a three-step approach to help increase awareness of, and educate the public about, the importance of using medication safely.  It also supports people to be more involved in decisions about their medication and encourage them to report issues and concerns about their medication and to keep an up-to-date ‘My Medicines List’.”

The call for action is:

Before you take it…

KNOW - Your medicines and keep a list CHECK - That you are using the right medicine the right way ASK - Your healthcare professional if you are unsure

It has been estimated that approximately 250,000 Australians are admitted to hospital every year because of problems or errors associated with the use of medicines. As many as up to 30 percent of unplanned admissions of people aged 65 years and over are medication-related, and approximately half of these could be prevented. Some of the reasons medication-related admissions in older people can be caused by ADRs, failure to receive or take a prescribed medication and errors with taking medications.

The Federation Ageing Well Committee is encouraging older residents to make sure that their doctor and other health professionals know about every medicine that they take, including prescription, non-prescription and over-the-counter medicines, and complementary medicines such as vitamin, mineral and herbal supplements.

Having an up-to-date, written or printed list of your medicines and supplements can help:

You know your medicines and why you are taking them. When discussing your medicines with a healthcare professional. When you might not be able to remember your medications, for example, at an appointment or in an emergency. Reduce the chance of medication errors or omissions, for example, not taking the dose correctly or taking more than the recommended dose.  Avoid prescribing errors and miscommunication.

To assist older residents in doing this Council is offering a free hardcopy ‘My Medicine List’. Residents can pick up their hardcopy from participating pharmacies throughout the Federation Council, at any Council office. More information on the campaign and a digital copy of the ‘My Medicine List’ can be downloaded from the Federation Council website.

Know Check Ask is a medication safety campaign developed to support the World Health Organisation's third Global Patient Safety Challenge: Medication Without Harm.