AHRQ introduces new Pharmacy Health Literacy Center

AHRQ recently announced the completion of its Pharmacy Health Literacy Center to help retail pharmacists meet the needs of customers with low or limited health literacy. Research shows that many people misread or misunderstand instructions on how to take medications as prescribed. But effective communication can reduce medication errors and the adverse outcomes they may cause.

The AHRQ Pharmacy Health Literacy Center features four tools for retail pharmacies: Is Our Pharmacy Meeting Patients' Needs: A Pharmacy Health Literacy Assessment Tool User's Guide; Strategies to Improve Communication between Staff and Patients: Training Program for Pharmacy Staff; How to Create a Pill Card; and Telephone Reminders: A Tool to Help Refill Medications on Time.

The Web site, http://pharmacyhealthliteracy.ahrq.gov/sites/PharmHealthLiteracy/default.aspx, also features additional assistance for pharmacies interested in using the assessment tool; a list of resources to learn more about health literacy; and a discussion board for visitors to post comments and questions to learn from other pharmacists.

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