Amman, Sept 28 (Petra) – The Lower House's Parliamentary Health and Food Committee and the Jordanian Charitable Medicine Bank (JCMB) discussed on Monday launching the "Safe Medicine, No Waste" national campaign to raise awareness on the safe and rational use of medicines and curb drug overuse.

The campaign aligns with the Lower House's role in raising awareness and enacting legislation, as well as its support for national initiatives to protect public health and enhance resource efficiency, said Committee Chair, MP Ahmad Sarahneh.

Drug overuse is not just a financial loss, but a health and societal issue requiring the concerted efforts of all relevant stakeholders, he pointed out.

The campaign focuses on promoting proper practices for the use and storage of medicines, avoiding overdispensing of drugs, and raising awareness on the safe disposal of unused or expired medications, he said.

Sarahneh called on health, pharmaceutical, and academic institutions, civil society organizations, and the media to support the campaign to promote a culture of rational medicine use and reduce overuse.

Committee members underscored the importance of such initiatives in raising awareness about safe medication practices and preservation, fostering a culture of rational use, and unifying and coordinating efforts among the various institutions and entities involved in the health and pharmaceutical sectors.

JCMB Board Chairman Ashraf Al-Kilani spoke about the campaign's importance in fostering comprehensive community awareness on the safe and rational use of medication, noting that curbing waste starts with citizen awareness and on to various entities within the health and pharmaceutical systems.

He said the Charitable Medicine Bank, in cooperation with relevant stakeholders, will implement awareness programs targeting various segments of society to promote the rational consumption of medication and preserve it as a vital health, humanitarian, and economic resource.

The meeting saw the launch of the "National Week for Awareness on Drug Overuse" was announced, an annual event involving government bodies, health and pharmaceutical institutions, the academic sector, civil society organizations, and the media, to highlight the risks and causes of pharmaceutical waste and explore ways to mitigate it.

Participants stressed that curbing pharmaceutical waste is a joint national and societal responsibility. It requires partnerships among the various components of the health and pharmaceutical sectors and promoting a culture rooted in awareness, proper medication use, and spending efficiency.

//Petra//SS