FamilyWize Supports "Talk About Your Medicines Month" With Free Educational eBook

BETHLEHEM, Pa., Oct. 14, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- FamilyWize, a community service partnership focused on improving the health and well-being of individuals, families and communities, today launched a new educational campaign in support of "Talk About Your Medicines" month.  The centerpiece of the campaign, called "Live Healthy, Live Smart", is the release of a free, educational eBook for consumers that provides valuable information about prescription medications — from how to talk to your pharmacist to how to get the best prices at the pharmacy. As part of the educational campaign, FamilyWize has also partnered with the National Council on Patient Information and Education (NCPIE), founder of "Talk About Your Medicines" month, and Linda Bernstein, PharmD.

FamilyWize's "Live Healthy, Live Smart" campaign also coincides with the organization's 10^th Anniversary of promoting access to affordable medication.  Originally focused on Pennsylvania's Lehigh Valley, today FamilyWize provides savings to consumers in every state through its free prescription card and extensive partner programs and network that includes United Way, the National Council on Aging, and the American Heart Association, among others.

"We are thrilled to partner with NCPIE and Dr. Bernstein as part of 'Talk About Your Medicines' month and our own 10^th Anniversary," said Joseph Sanginiti, President and COO of FamilyWize. "We believe that it is critical that all consumers not only have access to the medications they need, but also have access to information on issues surrounding prescription medications, whether that be the importance of taking your prescriptions regularly or how to save on prescription medication costs."

To date, FamilyWize has helped more than 8.7 million people save more than $900 million dollars.

The eBook, written by award-winning pharmacist and educator, Linda Bernstein, Pharm.D., includes articles such as:

• Ten Tips for Smart and Safe Medication Use           
• Questions to Ask Your Pharmacist
• How to be Proactive About Your Medicines to Avoid Harmful Drug Interactions
• Being Smart About Prescription Costs

Dr. Bernstein holds a Doctor of Pharmacy degree and specializes in the development of innovative educational programs for health professionals and consumers. She has served as an educational spokesperson for national pharmacy media campaigns to promote the safe and effective use of medicines. She has produced, written and hosted countless television and radio programs, and has over a hundred professional and consumer publications.  She serves as volunteer Clinical Professor at the School of Pharmacy, University of California, San Francisco. Dr. Bernstein has received numerous major awards for her clinical pharmacy research and educational media work.

"'Talk About Your Medicines' month was established 30 years ago by NCPIE in an effort to promote the wise use of medicines through trusted communication for better health," said Dr. Bernstein.  "I am excited to be partnering with FamilyWize this year to introduce the eBook and support their mission of raising consumer awareness on critical issues related to prescription medications."

"FamilyWize has a long tradition of delivering value to consumers and raising awareness of the need to talk about medications, from access to affordability to advocacy, through their partners," said Ray Bullman, Executive Vice President of the NCPIE. "We congratulate them on their successful 10-year milestone and look forward to working together to promote safe, smart prescription use."

About the FamilyWize Prescription Savings Card
The FamilyWize Prescription Savings Card, which is accepted at more than 60,000 pharmacies nationwide, covers all FDA approved prescription medications. The card is free to all consumers – both insured and uninsured – and provides an average savings of 42 percent on medication costs. The use of the FamilyWize Prescription Savings Card is unlimited; it does not require any personal information from the user and has no eligibility criteria. To take advantage of the savings that FamilyWize offers, consumers can print a card from FamilyWize.org, can call 1-866-810-3784 and request a card to be sent to them, or can download the free FamilyWize app.  

About the FamilyWize Community Partnership
FamilyWize is a community service partnership focused on improving the health and well-being of individuals, families and communities. Through our partnerships with United Way and more than 100,000 community organizations, government agencies, pharmacies, health systems and businesses, we are making prescription medications more affordable and more accessible.

About the National Council on Patient Information and Education
Organized in 1982, the National Council on Patient Information and Education (NCPIE) is a nonprofit coalition of diverse organizations committed to promoting the wise use of medicines through trusted communication for better health. NCPIE works to address critical medicine safe use issues like adherence improvement, prescription drug abuse prevention, reduction of medication errors, and quality improvements in healthcare provider-patient communication. For more information, visit www.talkaboutrx.org.

Media Contact:
Kathleen Fusco
Zer0 to 5ive for FamilyWize
(215) 939-5709
[email protected]

SOURCE FamilyWize Community Partnership

Related Links

http://www.familywize.org