FDA Initiative Seeks to Reduce Accidental Overdoses

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Hamburg said the FDA plans to "enlist stakeholders across the nation to develop interventions," meaning patients, consumers, health-care practitioners, pharmacists, insurers, drug manufacturers as well as other government agencies.

The officials did not give specifics of planned programs because remedies will likely be very specific to specific problems, such as when patients catch on fire from flammable drugs used during preparation for surgery. This happens about 600 times a year, Hamburg said.

Health-care providers will also look for better ways to provide information to consumers, such as trying to get people who are taking acetaminophen-containing narcotic prescription drugs not to add over-the-counter acetaminophen products to the mix, Hamburg said. Overexposure to acetaminophen, which is the active ingredient in Tylenol and other over-the-counter pain relievers, can cause liver damage.

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The FDA also released on Wednesday new industry guidelines for over-the-counter liquid medications, such as treatments for colds, for children. These guidelines are intended to make the dosing directions for cups, droppers and other measuring devices clearer.

More information

The Institute of Medicine has a fact sheet on preventing medication errors.

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