Protecting Your Family: Why Medication Safety Matters
Every year, thousands of people — both adults and children — are harmed or killed by taking medication that wasn’t prescribed to them. Whether by accident, curiosity, or misunderstanding, taking someone else’s medicine can be deadly. It’s a growing problem in homes across the country, and it’s one we all have the power to prevent.
The risks of taking someone else’s medication
Prescription medications are carefully tailored to an individual’s health needs, age, weight, and medical history. What works for one person may be dangerous — even fatal — for another.
Taking someone else’s medicine can cause:
- Severe allergic reactions
- Dangerous interactions with other medications
- Overdose and poisoning
- Organ failure
- Death
This isn’t just a concern for children. Adults are increasingly affected, often misusing medications for pain, anxiety, or sleep without understanding the consequences.
Keep medications safe and secure
Help prevent accidents and misuse by following these safety tips:
- Store medications out of reach and out of sight, ideally in a locked cabinet or box.
- Never leave tablets or medicines loose in purses, drawers, or countertops.
- Keep medication in original packaging with clear labels and instructions.
- Dispose of unused or expired medication safely — many pharmacies offer free disposal services.
- Talk openly with your family — especially teens and elderly relatives — about the dangers of sharing or taking medication that isn’t theirs.
What to do if someone takes the wrong medication
If you suspect that someone has taken medication not prescribed to them:
- Stay calm but act quickly.
- Call 999 for an ambulance or go to your nearest A&E department if the person is unconscious, having trouble breathing, or acting erratically.
- Contact NHS 111 or visit www.111.nhs.uk for guidance if the person is conscious and stable.
- Give all available details — the medication taken, how much, and when.
Don’t wait for symptoms to show — some effects can be delayed but still dangerous.
Pharmacies
Your local pharmacist can help with safe medication storage, disposal, and advice.
Medication safety starts with you
You can save a life just by locking the medicine cabinet, talking to your children, or helping a friend get support.
The message is simple: If it’s not prescribed for you, don’t take it. Ever.
Stay safe. Stay informed. Share the message.
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