Video: New Educational Initiative - 'Answers in the Aisles' - Helps Increase Understanding About Over-The-Counter (OTC) Medicines

FORT WASHINGTON, Pa., Jan. 31 /PRNewswire/ -- Over-the-counter (OTC) medicines frequently headline the news due to concern about safety, availability, misuse, and effectiveness. Although reading the product label or speaking with a healthcare professional are the best ways for consumers to get questions answered about medicine use, many consumers are turning to the Web for information. In fact, according to a recent Harris Interactive poll, over 60 percent of Americans with Internet access are now obtaining health information online(1).

To view the Multimedia News Release, go to: http://www.prnewswire.com/mnr/mcneil/26205/.

To help clarify OTC options and provide the public with reliable online information, the makers of TYLENOL(R) (McNeil Consumer Healthcare, a division of McNeil-PPC, Inc.) have launched "Answers in the Aisles: Increasing Understanding about OTC Medications." This Web-based educational program, available now at http://www.answersintheaisles.com/, is a first-of-its-kind Web portal, outlining key areas of consumer interest and linking visitors to several well-trusted online OTC resources.

"As pharmacists, we continue to serve as front-line, one-on-one resources to consumers with questions about over-the-counter medicines," says Janet P. Engle, Pharm. D., associate dean for academic affairs and clinical professor of pharmacy practice at the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Pharmacy and former president of the American Pharmacists Association. "But as more consumers rely on the Web for health-related guidance, it is important that easy-to-use and relevant educational resources, like AnswersintheAisles.com, are available so consumers can make informed decisions, achieve the maximum health benefits from their OTC medications and avoid misuse."

Answers in the Aisles provides content specific to OTC medicine use from trusted consumer advocates, including the American Pharmacists Association (APhA), the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), and the National Council on Patient Information and Education (NCPIE). The site offers useful tips on choosing and administering OTC products to both adults and children, all within one convenient online portal. Topics include reading and understanding product labels, knowing your OTC options and the importance of proper dosing.

"Over-the-counter medicines are safe and effective for most people, when taken as directed," notes Engle. "But they also contain powerful ingredients. That's why it's important to read and follow label directions to get safe, effective relief."

For more information, including a checklist of questions to ask a doctor or pharmacist about OTC medicines, visit AnswersintheAisles.com.

About the Program Sponsor

McNeil Consumer Healthcare, a division of McNeil-PPC, Inc. markets a broad range of well-known and trusted over-the-counter (OTC) products around the globe. McNeil Consumer Healthcare is most widely recognized for the complete line of TYLENOL(R) acetaminophen products, the leading pain reliever brand in the adult and pediatric categories. The TYLENOL(R) product line consists of hundreds of products across a variety of pain categories including: arthritis pain, pain with accompanying sleeplessness and upper respiratory. Other McNeil Consumer Healthcare brands include IMODIUM(R) A-D anti-diarrheal, ST. JOSEPH(R) Adult Regimen Aspirin and MOTRIN(R) IB.

(1) The Harris Poll(R) #59, August 1, 2006, Number of "Cyberchondriacs" - Adults Who Have Ever Gone Online for Health Information - Increases to an Estimated 136 Million Nationwide