Nancy Nkansah, PharmD, a faculty member in the UCSF School of Pharmacy, appears with Mehmet Oz, MD, on The Dr. Oz Show to correct 3 common medication mistakes made by consumers:

1. The belief that all over-the counter (OTC) drugs are safe. Their advice? Read the label. Many OTC medications can have the same active ingredient. As a result, consumers can overmedicate unless they read their OTC drug labels.
2. The belief that generic drugs are not as good as brand name drugs. Their advice? Brand name drugs and their generics are equivalent. The active ingredient is the same. Community pharmacists can recommend lower-cost generic equivalents of brand name drugs.
3. Stopping a medication therapy or not taking a medication as prescribed. Their advice? It is important to take medicines as prescribed to get the best result from the drugs. Pill boxes and other devices can help consumers stay on their medication regimens.

The Dr. Oz Show episode “Dangerous Drug Store Mistakes” was broadcast November 15, 2010.