Some future pharmacists are trying to help area patients take their medications as prescribed.
Pharmacy students from Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED) in Rootstown are organizing public events throughout Northeast Ohio this weekend as part of “Remember to Take Your Medicine Day” on Saturday.
The students worked with NEOMED faculty to persuade Gov. John Kasich to sign an official proclamation declaring the day “to recognize the value of taking medicines as prescribed and the role of pharmacists and pharmacy students in promoting medication adherence.”
“We are doing this as an initiative to help better our community,” said Megan Elavsky, a third-year NEOMED pharmacy student from Akron who is coordinating the local outreach effort.
National studies estimate that nearly three out of four people don’t take their medicines as directed.
Common reasons can include forgetfulness, fear of side effects, trouble taking the medications (particularly with injections or inhalers) or inability to pay.
The students are hosting free events from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday at Chapel Hill Mall in Akron and Great Northern Mall in North Olmsted and from noon to 4 p.m. at the Great Lakes Science Center in Cleveland.
NEOMED students and faculty will be available to answer patients’ questions about medications.
The events also will include free blood pressure checks, coloring activities and balloons for children and wallet cards to help track medications.
The NEOMED students’ efforts are part of a national movement called Script Your Future.
Consumers can access information and tools to help them take their medications properly — including free text message reminders — at www.script yourfuture.org.
Free cancer screenings
Aultman Hospital in Canton is offering free screenings next month for breast, cervical, colon, head and neck, lung, prostate and skin cancers.
Registration begins later this month for the screenings, which will take place from 8 a.m. to noon March 22.
Appointments are required.
For more information or to make an appointment — beginning Feb. 24 through March 20 — call 330-363-6281.
Rainbow recognized
Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital in Cleveland recently was recognized for its efforts to improve use of breast milk in its neonatal intensive care unit.
The pediatric hospital placed second in a national program by Medela to recognize successful NICU programs to promote breast milk consumption. Memorial Hospital in Gulfport, Miss., was the first-place winner.
According to a news release, Rainbow’s NICU increased breast milk feeding within 72 hours of birth from 35 percent in 2012 to 90 percent in 2013.
Cheryl Powell can be reached at 330-996-3902 or cpowell@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow Powell on Twitter at twitter.com/CherylPowellABJ.