Article 4: Know Your Medicine

Article #4:

Title: Know your medicine

Link: http://www.knowyourmedicine.gov.my/en

       

Aim of Intervention: Increase consumer awareness of the rational use of medicine, provide consumers with information on different issues related to health and medicine, ensure that consumers know their medicine, what they should and should not be taken, and why, increased adverse drug reporting through patient education, improve knowledge in the use of medicine by pregnant women, nursing mothers and children, assist senior citizens in the use of medicine.

Target Population: All consumers who are concerned about their health and the health of their loved ones.

                                                    

Target Place: Malaysia and anyone with access to the internet.

Time Period:  June 2007 till date

Intervention Tool(s): Website

Technology: Website-based campaign, advertising through social media

                                       

Costs: Staff fees, fees for website registration and update, continuous fees for activities and workshops, advertising through media, exhibition costs

Personal Reflection: User – friendly for the layperson, requires initiative, allows for quick access, requires access to computers/smartphones/media and knowledge of device/gadget utility in order to obtain most benefit from this campaign. This campaign also has live, scheduled workshops and exhibitions held throughout Malaysia. Could serve as a useful tools for those who are privileged to have access to the internet/media and are therefore updated with schedules of workshops/exhibitions etc. Unfortunately not of full benefit to those who are out of reach from accessing the aforementioned. Requires continuous funding and cooperation between the government, health sector, and community.