SOS Rx, a national healthcare coalition promoting the safe use of medications, has been launched by the National Consumers League.   AANP is a member of the coalition whose purpose is to make the outpatient use of medications safer, especially for senior citizens. Their online homepage, www.sosrx.org, will provide information for consumers about upcoming educational campaigns on topics ranging from the safe use of anticoagulants to the advantages of e-prescribing and the benefits of maintaining a personal medication record.

In addition to AANP, other members of SOS Rx include consumer and patient safety organizations, accrediting bodies, groups representing nurse practitioners, physicians, pharmacists,  caregivers, employers, and the government.   Dozens of other organizations, foundations, and private companies participate in workshops and meetings. 

“Consumers face enormous challenges when they enter the healthcare arena as either patients or caregivers,” said Lucian Leape, Ph.D., Harvard School of Public Health. “The members of SOS Rx are committed to arming consumers with the information they need to successfully navigate the system and maintain and improve their own health.”

SOS Rx is initially funded by an unrestricted educational grant from founding sponsor Express Scripts (ESRX). “Express Scripts’ mission is to make the use of prescription drugs safer, as well as more affordable, so we’re very pleased to collaborate with the National Consumers League in launching SOS Rx with the support of such a wide range of organizations committed to greater safety,” said Barrett Toan, chief executive officer of Express Scripts.

SOS Rx Campaigns

      The SOS Rx coalition’s work is two-tiered, aiming to produce both behavior changes in consumers through education efforts and institutional changes within the health care system through advocacy.

• Consumer Education: This fall, SOS Rx will embark upon a comprehensive educational effort targeting consumers’ use of high-risk drugs, such as warfarin (a blood thinner used to treat or prevent blood clots), that are associated with high numbers of adverse drug events. Consumers will be informed that other medications and substances they may be taking — prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, dietary supplements and herbals, as well as food — could dangerously interact with their prescribed medication.  
• Healthcare System Advocacy: SOS Rx is currently exploring the most effective ways to promote system-wide changes, including:
  • The creation of a clearinghouse of safe practices for high-risk situations related to outpatient medication. The clearinghouse will be a comprehensive dynamic resource to which healthcare professionals can turn for guidance on safe practices to be followed when prescribing certain medications. The clearinghouse would contain consumer-friendly versions of the safe practices. A component of the clearinghouse activities will be linkages to similar activities and programs.
  • The development and promotion of a personal medication record, a self-recorded list of prescriptions, over-the-counter medicines, and dietary supplements, which would provide an essential tool for consumers to take a strong role in partnering with their healthcare providers. By convening expert panelists, creating a template for personal medication records, and ultimately, outreach to consumers about the importance of maintaining a personal medication record, SOS Rx will encourage its widespread adoption.
  • Accelerating the adoption of e-prescribing by establishing guiding principles and a standard for e-prescribing. An ideal e-prescribing model will be developed and promoted to healthcare professionals. A public education campaign will educate consumers about e-prescribing.

More information about SOS Rx is available by visiting www.sosrx.org, or by contacting the communications department of the National Consumers League at media@nclnet.org or 202-835-3323.