PERSONAL PRESCRIPTION CARDS are carried in an individual’s purse or wallet and describe the medications and circumstances under which they are taken. The cards are intended for the use of emergency medical personnel, new doctors, caregivers, and family members to assist the individual when necessary.
The PERSONAL PRESCRIPTION CARD was created when a management consultant became frustrated trying to determine what pills his father was required to take. He designed the original PERSONAL PRESCRIPTION CARD to describe as simply as possible the medications in terms of strength, dosage, and frequency as well as their color, shape, and actual location in his father’s house.
The Cards were originally distributed to the public in December 2011. Soon thereafter, one recipient wrote:
“I had a stroke in Gilbert Arizona over Easter (2012) and could not remember anything re MY MEDS…so I just reached into my wallet…and voila…I had all the info the doctors needed.” A retired RN thought that “…carrying a prescription card [including] other essential medical/health info … is wonderful.” Another person said: “The idea for a personal medical record is very timely [and] is too good not to be shared more widely.”
The PERSONAL PRESCRIPTION CARD comes in several different forms — as single cards to be given away by retail establishments and professional practices, as a Sunday newspaper supplement sponsored by a major institution, and as a magazine insert. There is even a version for keeping track of the medications and supplements an animal is required to take — something that an owner might carry with him on trips out of town or when moving to a new location, something that might be left with a pet sitter in case of an emergency, or something that might be shared with a new vet.
One high school alumni association printed the magazine insert version containing two PERSONAL PRESCRIPTION CARDS at the centerfold of its semi-annual journal, a surprise free gift for the benefit of its members and their spouses. It has been very well received. But there was another motive in providing this addition to the association’s publication: Statistics indicate that each American changes his or her medicine regime some seven times a year. Each change requires a fresh PERSONAL PRESCRIPTION CARD to maintain an accurate historical record as well as to keep information clear and up-to-date. As a result, the association’s leadership decided to offer resupply packets for a fee that could also yield a contribution for the association’s other projects. After just a few weeks, the reorder requests are coming in at a steady rate and the treasury of the association looks like it has found a new source of income.
If you would like more information about how your organization can make PERSONAL PRESCRIPTION CARDS available to your membership while supporting your group’s financial needs, please send an EMail to info@highschoolamerica.org seeking more details.
