Fillable Printable Press Release Template Sample
Fillable Printable Press Release Template Sample
Press Release Template Sample
Sample Press Release
Use the following fill-in-the-blank press release to announce and promote your MUST for
Seniors
TM
Program Activities. Send your completed press release to local newspapers,
radio, and television stations in advance of your event(s).
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: [Insert Contact Name,
Number and E-mail]
[XYZ ORGANIZATION] HOSTS COMMUNITY WORKSHOP TO EDUCATE OLDER
ADULTS AND CAREGIVERS ABOUT THE MUSTS OF SAFE MEDICINE USE
-- Older Adults More Likely to Experience (Often Preventable) Adverse Drug Effects --
[Insert City, State] [Insert Date] –- Most
older adults live with at least one chronic condition,
including arthritis, heart disease or diabetes, take multiple medicines and consult several healthcare
providers. In addition, age-related changes that affect the way certain drugs work in the body, as well as
noticeable communication gaps about medicines between patients and their healthcare providers, can set
the stage for serious medicine use related problems, resulting in additional illness, hospitalization and
even death. That’s why [XYZ organization] is joining the National Council on Patient Information
and Education (NCPIE) to launch the Medication Use Safety Training for Seniors
TM
program
(MUST for Seniors
TM
) and provide important information about safe medicine use to older adults and
caregivers in [City, State].
“Medicines are important therapeutic tools for living well in later life, but there are also risks, especially
among older adults, who take more medicines than any other age group in the United States,” said Ray
Bullman, Executive Vice President, NCPIE. “We hope this new program will encourage older adults and
caregivers to learn about the medicines they use, be active partners in their healthcare, and routinely talk
with their healthcare providers.”
MUST for Seniors
TM
is an interactive initiative designed to promote safe and appropriate medicine use by
giving older adults and caregivers the tools and know-how to avoid medication misuse, recognize and
manage common side effects in consultation with their healthcare providers, and improve medicine use
knowledge, attitudes, and skills to avoid medication errors. When used properly, medicines can treat or
delay the onset or progression of many chronic conditions, and enhance quality of life by limiting loss of
function and alleviating troublesome symptoms.
[XYZ Organization] will hold a MUST for Seniors
TM
workshop on [Insert Date, Time and Location].
“This is an important educational campaign, especially in light of the aging baby boomer population,
which is expected to reach 71 million strong by 2030,” said [Representative, Title, XYZ Organization].
“The use of multiple medicines - - prescription and over-the-counter medicines in addition to supplements
and herbal remedies -- can result in potentially harmful drug interactions, so it’s critical to open a
dialogue among older adults, caregivers and healthcare professionals about these issues.”[OR include
sentence about local impact of program]”
Quick Facts: Older Adults and Medicine Use
Older adults comprise 13 percent of the population, but account for 34 percent of all prescription
medicine use and 30 percent of all over-the-counter (OTC) drug use.
Most older adults - - 4 out of 5 - - live with one or more chronic conditions.
Many take multiple medicines at the same time. A recent survey of 17,000 Medicare beneficiaries
found that 2 out of 5 patients reported taking five or more prescription medicines.
Older adults are at increased risk of serious adverse drug events, including falls, depression,
confusion, hallucinations and malnutrition, which are an important cause of illness,
hospitalization and death among these patients.
Drug-related complications have been attributed to the use of multiple medicines and associated
drug interactions, age-related changes, human error and poor medical management (e.g., incorrect
medicine prescribed, inappropriate doses, lack of communication and monitoring).
There is poor communication between patients and provider. Up to 40% of older patients who
decided to skip doses or stop taking their medicine do not tell their provider.
For More Information
For more information about safely using medicines, visit the MUST for Seniors
TM
web site at
www.mustforseniors.org, or call [Insert phone number]. [Those interesting in registering for this free
workshop should call NUMBER or send an e-mail to NAME at EMAIL ADDRESS by DATE.].
About NCPIE
Founded in 1982, the National Council on Patient Information and Education (NCPIE) is a non-profit
coalition of over 100 diverse organizations. NCPIE’s mission is to stimulate and improve communication
of information on the appropriate use of medicines to consumers and health care professionals. NCPIE
develops programs, provides educational resources, and offers services to advance the common mission
of its members.
# # #
References
Ferrini A, Ferrini R. 2000. Health in the Later Years. 3
rd
edition. Boston, MA, McGraw Hill.
Wilson IR, Schoen C, Neuman P, Strollo MK, et al. “Physician-Patient Communication About Prescription
Medication Nonadherence: A 50-State Study of America’s Seniors.” JGIM. 2007 Jan;22(1):6-12.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and The Merck Company Foundation. “The State of Aging
and Health in America 2007.” Available at www.cdc.gov/aging. Accessed August 30, 2007.
Editor’s Note: Feel free to use the following in your publication and/or online news content.
10 STEPS FOR SUCCESS:
MANAGING YOUR MEDICINES
1. Know your medicines,
including drug names, reasons for their use, potential side effects,
and how to take them safely.
2. Take your medicines exactly as directed. Read all of the labels and written instructions
before taking each medicine. Ask your pharmacist or doctor if you don’t understand the
directions.
3. Continue taking all of your medicines until the doctor says to stop. Contact your
provider if you experience side effects. If cost is an issue, ask about generic options or check
available drug-assistance programs at http://www.talkaboutrx.org/paps.jsp.
4. Keep a current list of your medicines. This should include all prescription and over-the-
counter (OTC) medicines, sample medicines, dietary supplements and herbal remedies.
5. Dispose of unused medicines properly. See
http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/news/press07/022007.html
6. Store medicines in a cool and dry place. That means keeping them away from the stove or
direct sunlight and not using the medicine cabinet in the bathroom, which can be warm and
damp.
7. Keep your medicines in one location (away from children and pets) unless any need to be
refrigerated.
8. Use only one pharmacy, so your pharmacist can monitor which medicines you are taking.
Take time to ask about possible interactions with OTC drugs or dietary/herbal supplements
you use.
9. Ask your pharmacist or doctor before taking any over-the-counter (OTC) medicines as
Some can be harmful in older adults.
10. Talk openly with your healthcare providers about the medicines and supplements you
take. Review them together to identify potential risks, or to see if any can be reduced or
stopped.
Do not share your medicines with other people, including family members.
Bring an up-to-date medicine list to all of your medical appointments.
Ask if there are simpler ways to take multiple medicines.
