Pharmacists, healthcare advocates say individuals need to make themselves "medicine smart."

"Pharmacists and healthcare advocates are urging people to make themselves 'medicine smart' by asking questions, keeping track of what medications they are taking, and building a relationship with their family pharmacy." Individuals "who don't take the time to learn about their medications, both prescribed and over-the-counter, run the risk of misusing them in ways that could damage their health. For instance, they could suffer a potentially dangerous interaction between two or more drugs," according to the executive vice president of the National Council on Patient Information and Education, Ray Bullman. The National Council on Patient Information and Education suggests that patients "bring a list of questions to be answered by your doctor and pharmacist for each prescription" including, "How and when do I take it, and for how long? What foods, drinks, other medicines, dietary supplements, or activities should I avoid while taking this medicine?" and "How should I store this medicine?"