Last month, Hot 97.9 host Shani Sweets welcomed Dr. Marico Dove, Certified Pharmacist at Advance Community Health, for an insightful conversation about the importance of medication safety. Their discussion shed light on preventing medication errors and practicing medication safety especially with children.
What Medication Safety Really Means
Medication safety is the practice of using medicines correctly, responsibly, and in ways that minimize risk. Dr. Dove explained that this includes understanding proper dosing, reading labels carefully, storing medications securely, and being aware of potential interactions.
Refrain from calling Medication “candy”
One of the most memorable moments from the interview was Dr. Dove’s reminder to avoid calling medication “candy.” Many caregivers use this word to encourage kids to take their medicine, but it can teach children that medication is something sweet and harmless. Dr. Dove affectionately referred to this habit as calling medicine “grandma’s candy,” but she stressed how important it is to avoid this language. Children who believe medication is candy may try to consume it on their own, which can be extremely dangerous. Instead, parents should explain that medication is something only adults can give and only when needed.
Support Available at Advance Community Health
Dr. Dove also shared that Advance Community Health offers a range of services to help patients manage their medications safely. These services include medication reviews, pill packs, and tools that help patients remember the correct time of day to take each medication. Advance Community Health’s pharmacy team is committed to ensuring that every patient feels confident and informed.
The Health & Hip Hop series, hosted by Shani Sweets, continues to provide a bridge between entertainment and public health by creating a platform for conversations that educate our local communities.
Full Interview
You can watch the full interview below or go to Advance Community Health’s YouTube Channel! Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe!
Stay tuned for upcoming Health & Hip Hop interviews.
