Pharmacists in Utah are slated to begin affixing red warning stickers to opioid prescription bottles, advising patients on the addictive and potentially lethal properties of the medication, according to an Associated Press report relayed by The Journal Gazette.
The preventative effort is a part of a month-long campaign launched by the Utah Department of Health meant to facilitate and encourage dialogue between pharmacists and patients regarding the potential risks associated with prescription opioid painkillers.
"Given the high number of deaths associated with prescription opioids, understanding the risks of opioids is vital to patient safety," said Angela Dunn, MD, deputy state epidemiologist for the health department, according to the report.
Six Utahans die each week from an opioid overdose, according to the state health department.
To learn more about the campaign, click here.
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