Prescription and OTC Medications

Prescription Medications

• Prescription medications need authorization from a licensed healthcare professional like a doctor or nurse practitioner.
• Access to prescription medications requires a prescription.
• Medications are dispensed through pharmacies or mail-order services.
• Generic medications contain the same active ingredients as brand-name medications, but are often cheaper.
• Brand-name medications are sold under a patented name and are typically more expensive.

Over-the-Counter (OTC) Medications

• OTC medications can be purchased without a prescription.
• They are commonly used for pain relief (e.g., aspirin), cold and flu remedies, and as laxatives or other self-care products.
• Some brands include Excedrin, Tylenol, Zicam, Theraflu, DayQuil, Robitussin, and Panadol.
• OTC medications are sold in grocery stores, pharmacies, and other retail outlets.
• OTC medications are designed to treat minor ailments that can be self-managed without a doctor's supervision.

Herbal Medications

• Herbal medications are natural or plant-based remedies categorized as supplements or alternative treatments.
• They include vitamins, minerals, dietary supplements (e.g., multivitamins, omega-3 fatty acids), and herbal teas (e.g., chamomile, peppermint).
• These medications are sold in pharmacies, health food stores, and botanicas (shops specializing in natural remedies).
• They are available in pills, capsules, tablets, liquids, teas, patches, medicated creams, inhalers, injectable solutions, and chewable or dissolvable forms.
• Herbal medications enhance overall well-being, address nutritional deficiencies, or provide alternative remedies for specific ailments.

History of Medication

• Medicines have been in use for centuries, starting with herbal remedies, using plants and natural substances.
• Anesthetics were early methods to manage pain during procedures.
• Pain medications were primitive ways to alleviate discomfort.
• Immunizations have evolved to prevent diseases.
• Efforts to develop treatments for various conditions are cures for illnesses.

Today’s Medication Environment

• Chronic illnesses are increasing due to more people with chronic and multiple diseases and longer life expectancy.
• Polypharmacy means patients are taking multiple medications simultaneously, leading to complex medication regimens.
• Insurance challenges, as not all medications are covered, creating financial barriers for some patients who require medication.
• Medication management is ensuring the right use of medications is increasingly difficult because of the complexity of treatments.
• Drug resistance is a common issues, including resistance to antibiotics like MRSA and tuberculosis.
• Older adults have unique needs related to aging, such as different dosages and additional monitoring.

Medication

• Medication is a substance that treats medical conditions or improves health.
• Synonyms include medicine, drug, cure, treatment, or mixture.
• Medications can be tablets, capsules, liquids, creams, and injections.

Management

• Management is organizing, controlling, supervising, and monitoring.
• Ensures processes or systems function optimally and safely.
• In medication, it involves ensuring medications are prescribed, dispensed, and taken properly.

Overview of Medication Management

• Patient-centered care focuses on safe, effective, and appropriate drug therapy.
• It is delivered through collaboration between patients and healthcare teams.
• Key components include monitoring medications for compliance and preventing dangerous drug interactions.

Medication Management Teams in Ontario

• Team composition includes doctors, nurse practitioners, pharmacists, registered nurses (RNs), registered practical nurses (RPNs), and personal support workers (PSWs).
• With more client care in community settings, the role and scope of PSWs evolve to meet growing demands.
• Employers set clearer expectations for PSWs regarding their roles in medication management.

Evolving PSW Role in Medication Management

• Increased responsibilities mean PSWs are asked to take on tasks beyond their formal training due to heavier nurse workloads.
• The scope of practice for PSWs prohibits administering injected, inserted, or inhaled medications.
• Historically, PSWs were not trained to administer medications but now "assist" clients with medication-related tasks.

Assisting with Medication: PSW

• PSWs support clients in non-clinical ways, like retrieving medication containers.
• They can provide water to help clients take the medicine and help them read the labels.
• PSWs can remove caps from medication containers.
• They also return medications to the proper storage location.
• Furthermore, they assist clients in recording when medication is taken, especially in community or home settings.

Medication Management: Monitoring

• Patient engagement ensures compliance with drug regimens by working with patients.
• Documentation verifies that medications are taken on time and at the correct dosage.
• Side effect monitoring involves care providers observing, reporting, and recording effects.
• Team responsibility emphasizes safe, effective, and client-centered practices by following proper procedures.
• Dose and timing ensures medications are taken properly to prevent complications.
• Drug interactions are checked to ensure proper usage instructions are followed.
• Ensure patients are informed about food-drug interactions and potential side effects through patient education.
• Systems and tools like pharmacy tracking manage medication effectively.