FDA Launches Plan to Reduce Accidental Drug Overdoses

Boston (DbTechNo) - The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have unveiled plans to launch a campaign aimed at reducing accidental drug overdoses.

Millions of drug overdoses are reported each year across the country, despite many drug labels clearly specifying how much of a certain drug a person is supposed to take.

The new plan by the FDA will make it easier for patients not to take too much of their medication, and should result in fewer trips to the ER by patients who overdose on medication.

Under the plan, the FDA will work with doctors to help identify drugs that are commonly taken in excess, work with drug companies to simplify labels, and standardize measuring cups for liquid medications.

“All participants in the health care community have a role to play in reducing the risks and preventing injuries from medication use,” said Dr. Janet Woodcock, director of the FDA’s drug center.

“Too many people suffer unnecessary injuries from avoidable medication misuse, errors and other problems. The FDA is launching the Safe Use Initiative to develop targeted solutions for reducing these injuries,” FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg said in a statement.