A draft in Arabic and English- developed by Dr May Haddad and pharmacist Nadia Dalloul with input of others
For educational flyers in English
http://www.anera.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/RUMBoxesEnglishTranslation.pdf
For educational flyers in Arabic http://www.anera.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/med-sense-Final.pdf Developed by Dr May Haddad and pharmacist Nadia Dalloul with input of others
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Everyone
I think before taking a medication
I ask, look for, and read facts about
medicine
I make sure that the benefits of taking
amedicine outweigh its risks
With the help of the health staff, I
balance possibilities and determine the
choice best for me
Media
I emphasize on people’s right to good
health
It is my responsibility to disseminate
information on medicines ethically
andwith all honesty and transparency
I know that advertisements influence
people. Hence it is important that
advertisements promoting the use of any
medicine are truthful and accurate
It is my responsibility to promote the
rational and responsible use of medicine,
and to highlight the value of good
nutrition and healthier lifestyles
It is my responsibility to always draw
attention to the problem of
indiscriminate use of antibiotics, and its
risks to humans and the environment
I research and disseminate information
on expired medicines, bad herbs, drug
abuse and other issues (the role of the
media as an investigator)
I coordinate work with activists,
physicians, pharmacists, nurses, teachers,
and social workers
Children 7-14 years old
I do not accept medication from friends.
I follow myphysician’s instructions
I inform my family:
Don’t give me portions of adult pills
Give memymedication correctly
Pay attention to doses
Don’t give one child’s medicine to another
Don’t play the role of a physician
Don’t let the neighbors decide for you
Keep medications out of children’s reach
Don’t give children sedatives to put
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them to sleep
Give me home-made solutions in case of
diarrhea
Youth and Students
I behave intelligently and responsibly:
I think, ask, research and participate in
decision-making. I am not ashamed to ask
questions
When the doctor prescribesme a medicine,
I learn about this medicine, its benefits
and risks and use it as instructed. I do not
share my medicines with anyone else
I do not accept any medication offered
bystrangers, friends or relatives
I do not take anti-depressants when I feel
down ( card 11)
I say no to cigarettes and water-pipes.I
avoid being in the presence of those
smoking
If I smoke, I try to quit smoking and
follow the instructions on card 14. I do not
smoke in the presence of non-smokers,
children and pregnant women
I am not influenced by advertisements
that promote the use of drugs, smoke,
water-pipe, and other harmful substances
I do not use injections unless prescribed
by a physician, and I do not use steroids
I do not believe weight-loss
advertisements. I always ask a medical
reference before buying any medicine
I know that every medication, even if
natural or of herbal extraction, has its
risks. I refuse to allow my body to be an
object of experimentation for these
product
I do not use antibiotics for flu or sore
throat. If the doctor prescribes me an
antibiotic, I use it according to
instructions and always finish the
antibiotic’s course even if after all the
symptoms have disappeared, so as tonot
contribute tothe emergence and spread of
resistant bacteria
I want to live my life with dignity
andwithout drugs
If I have friends who abuse drugs, I
encourage them to visit friendly centers
specialized in giving them the kind of help
they need, and I know that I am not
qualified to face their drug problem, so I
avoid trying to do so
I protect myself from HIV / AIDS using
the correct methods (vaginal douches is
not one of them)
Women and mothers
I know that my body is different from
that of men. It is important to be
awareof and understand the stages of
change that my body goes through
I think before buying medicine, because
some advertised products,including
weight loss products, can harm me
I know the importance of caution when
taking medications or smoking during
pregnancy or breastfeeding as it can
affect the growth and safety of my child
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I am not influenced by advertisements
that encourage women to smoke
(cigarettes, water-pipes, etc.)
I say no to cigarettes and water-pipes,
and I avoid being in the presence of those
smoking
If I smoke, I try to quit smoking and
follow the instructions on card 14
I behave intelligently and responsibly.
Before using a medication, I learn about
itand participate in choosing it. When I
use a medication, I use it as per the
prescriptions of my physician. I do not
share my medications with other people
I do not use antibiotics for flu or sore
throat. If the doctor prescribes me an
antibiotic, I use it according to
instructions and always finish the
antibiotic’s course even if after all the
symptoms have disappeared, so as to not
contribute to the emergence and spread
of resistant bacteria
I do not try any medication offered by
strangers, friends or family. I do not take
anti-depressants when I feel down unless
prescribed by my physician (card 11)
I have the right to choose the methods of
family planning that suit me. I follow the
instructions pertaining tothe method I
choose
It is not necessary to use hormones in the
treatment of hot flashes and other
menopause symptoms. These symptoms can
be discussed with my physician
I do not have to use vaginal douche for
personal hygiene. Unscented soap and
water is the best practice
I know that good nutrition is essential for
good health. I use iron supplements when
laboratory testing indicates anemia
It is the right of my child to be breastfed
in the first half hour after birth, to have
colostrum in the first days of birth, and
be breastfed exclusively for a period of
six months after which I give him/her
complementary food along with breastmilk
I keep all medicines away from the reach
of children
I organize or join community-based
activities that promote best practices
The Elderly
Many cases can be cured through proper
nutrition and a healthy lifestyle
I know that medicine is not an alternative
to proper nutrition
I use the medication prescribed by my
physician, and I do not tryanother
person’s medication
I do not share my medicine with others,
and I make sure that they do not take it
in my absence
I know that that chronic illnesses require
long-term medication, so I do not stop
taking the medicine or increase the
dosage on my own, and I visit my
physician every 6 months
I learn about medicine, and I participate
in choosing the medicine best for me
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I keep a personal record of all my
medications, and share it with the
physician and pharmacist
I usemethods that remind mewhen to
take my medication
I ask for better services for the elderly,
(may include establishing centers, home
visits, etc.)
Health care providers
I know that health is a right for all. I do
not act out of sympathy. I cooperate with
families, social activists and educators to
change the beliefs: “take more of what is
free” and “any medicine is better than no
medicine”
I know that prevention is better than cure
and that is why I stress on the importance
of a healthy lifestyle. I am a model for
others: I do not smoke (including water-
pipe) and Ilive a healthy lifestyle
The patient is the focus of my work, so all
my interest is abouthis/her health. As a
physician, I follow the ideal prescription
(card 6). As a pharmacist, I follow the
responsible pharmacist’s letter (card 7)
I always try to understand the patient’s
behavior and help him/her to the best of
my ability: I listen to and always respect
the patient.I give the patient enough time
to explain any point that may be unclear
(therapy, disease progression, use of
medication). I know that I am obliged (as a
doctor, pharmacist or nurse) to explain to
the patient my responsibilities towards
him/her and I always use simple terms to
eliminate any barriers between us, as this
is best for the course of the therapy
I act intelligently and responsibly. I am
notinfluenced by medical advertisements.
I do my best to rationally prescribe,
dispense or use medicines
I do not give injections when an oral option
is possible (card 8)
I prescribe antibiotics after confirming a
bacterial infection. I promote the rational
use of antibiotics to protect people and
the environment from the spread of
resistant bacteria (card 9)
When a patient comes to me (as a
physician or pharmacist), I learn about
her/his expectations and inform him/her
that I will not prescribe or dispense
medicine if the patient’s case does not
require it (even if the patient has been
waiting fora medicine)
It is important that I consider the price
of medicines. I recommend the generic
form of a medicine (especially for chronic
illnesses), if one is available
I include the patient when looking into
different therapy options (after
explaining them to her/him) so the patient
feels responsible for his/her health
My responsibility towards the patient (as a
doctor or pharmacist) includes follow up of
her/his health and updating his/her
medical profile file
We communicatewith each other; nurses,
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9
pharmacists, and physicians, and we
communicate with activists from the
community to organize community
awareness activities
I update my knowledge through research,
reading reliablereferences and web-based
sources. I do not succumb to temptations
from pharmaceutical companies
Community Activists and Educators
I know that health is a right for all. I do
not act out of sympathy. I contribute to
raising health awareness in my community.
I coordinate with health activists
includingphysicians, pharmacists, nurses,
and other social activists and educators
I cooperate with family and health centers
to change the beliefs: “take more of what
is free” and “any medicine is better than
no medicine”
I encourage the adoption of healthy habits
including good nutrition, exercise, and
discourage smoking and drugs. . I am a
model for others: I do not smoke
(cigarettes, water-pipe, or others) and I
live a healthy lifestyle
I act intelligently and responsibly. I
improve my skills through noncommercial,
nonprofit and credible sources
I do not play the role of the doctor or
pharmacist. I do not prescribe medicine
based on my personal experience
I am not influenced by advertisements
that promote weight lossproducts or
anabolic steroids
I say no to cigarettes and water-pipes,
and I avoid being in the presence of those
smoking
If I smoke, I try to quit smoking and
follow the instructions on card 14. I do not
smoke in the presence of nonsmokers,
children and pregnant women
I promote the rational use of antibiotics
to protect people and the environment
from the spread of resistant bacteria
(card 9)
I do not take anti-depressants when I feel
down (refer to card 11)
If I encounter people who use drugs, I
encourage them to visit friendly centers
specialized in giving them the kind of help
they need, and I know that I am not
qualified to face their drug problem, so I
avoid attempting to do so
By: Dr. May Haddad and pharmacist Nadia Dalloul
With: Yara Qutteina, Saned Raouf and Shoug al-Nafeesi
Thanks to all for the valuable review
The Smart Use of Medicine
The Creative Health Campaign
www.anera.org/chc