22News inFocus: Prescription safety

CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) - Most Americans take at least one prescription pill regularly, and many people take several different medications each day. We've all heard about the side effects drugs can cause, and now new studies are raising concerns that some cholesterol-lowering drugs can actually cause diabetes in women. So what does that mean for you, and do the benefits outweigh the risk?

So this week on 22News inFocus we'll have important information you need to know about the prescriptions you're taking, and we'll have a panel of pharmacy safety experts to separate myth from reality.

We'll also talk about the growing problem of painkiller addiction, and reveal what you can do to prevent prescription interactions, as well as cut your risk of accidental drug overdose.

We'll also reveal what simple steps you can take to make sure your medication is working as effectively as possible, and we'll discuss the possible risks associated with weight loss supplements.

Guest contact information:

Gary Kerr, Chief Pharmacy Officer, Baystate Medical Center

Mark Heelon, Medication Safety Specialist, Baystate Medical Center