The Loma Linda University School of Pharmacy's chapter of the American Pharmacists Association (APhA) partnered with the Youth Rx Abuse Program to participate in the Loma Linda University Children's Hospital Children's Day Wednesday, May 7.
More than 300 children visited the information booth to learn about drug safety through interactive and tactile games prepared by pharmacy students.
In a game called Is This Candy or Medicine?, chewable fiber gummies that look like candy were interspersed with real candy. Although the game designers expected that many children would be tricked into thinking the medicine was candy, many adults made the same mistake. When the adults discovered their error, they looked surprised, but no one laughed.
"Having the opportunity to teach children was precious, and we were glad that we prepared these games. At the end, the children got their Medication Safety Patrol badges and Poison Control stickers, and they promised that they will take their medications in a safe way," said Mihiko Okawara, pharmacy student.
"It made us happy to know that the children, who we named 'Medication Safety Patrol Officers,' will walk away knowing how to take their medication correction as well as be able to help their friends with this important information."