PCA warning against medicine misuse for National Poison Prevention Week

Mar 16, 2026 | 3:36 PM

Primary Care Alberta is reminding everyone to take and store their medicine safely to prevent accidental poisoning.

Mar. 15-21 is National Poison Prevention Week, and PCA is focusing on medicine safety this year.

They say poisoning can happen if everyday medicines are improperly mixed, misused or stored improperly and are offering tips to keep safe.

Always read the instructions on the bottle before taking or administrating medicine to someone else.
Avoid mixing any medicines – it can be dangerous. If you’re already taking medicine and want to start a new one, always talk to your healthcare provider first. If you take a medicine containing acetaminophen or ibuprofen, don’t take another medicine with the same ingredients.
Avoid mixing medicines with cannabis or alcohol.
Buy over-the-counter medicine in smaller amounts. Many medicines come in different sized bottles, so choose a smaller over-the-counter option to keep less at home and reduce the risk of misuse.
Dispose of any expired or unused medicine – take them to your local pharmacy.
Take extra precautions if you have children in your home:
- Always follow the instructions for their age or weight.
- Store all medicines somewhere high, in a secure location out of sight and reach of children.
- Make sure medicines are in child-resistant packages.