Senate Concurrent Resolution 579

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING FEBRUARY 2016 AS "SELF-CARE MONTH IN MISSISSIPPI" TO BRING PUBLIC AWARENESS TO THE IMPORTANCE OF SELF-HEALTH CARE AND NONPRESCRIPTION MEDICINES.

WHEREAS, self-care is a lifelong daily habit of healthy lifestyle choices, good hygiene practices, prevention of infection and illness, avoiding unhealthy choices, monitoring for signs and symptoms of changes in health, knowing when to consult a health care practitioner, and knowing when it is appropriate to self-treat conditions; and

WHEREAS, the United States Food and Drug Administration deems OTC medicines safe and effective for the self-care treatment of minor acute and chronic health conditions and symptoms such as pain, the common cold, allergies and other conditions that impact large segments of the population; and

WHEREAS, over-the-counter medicines are either developed as new nonprescription medicines or switched from existing prescription medicines; and

WHEREAS, over-the-counter nonprescription medicines are self-care products that consumers purchase in pharmacies, supermarkets, retail stores and online; and

WHEREAS, every dollar spent on over-the-counter medicines saves the United States health care system $6.00 to $7.00 each year, totaling $102 Billion in annual savings; and

WHEREAS, nonprescription medicines help to ease the burden on health care practitioners, eliminating unnecessary medical examinations that could be avoided with appropriate self-care; and

WHEREAS, Mississippi benefits when its citizens practice appropriate self-care; do not unnecessarily visit health care practitioners; and are empowered by higher self-esteem, improved health, and reduced use of health care services; and

WHEREAS, Mississippi encourages its citizens to take advantage of self-care's potential to improve personal and public health, save personal and public treasury and strengthen the sustainability of the State of Mississippi's health care system; and

WHEREAS, achieving self-care's potential is a shared opportunity for consumers, health care practitioners, policymakers and regulators:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That the State of Mississippi:

(a) Recognizes the importance of improving awareness of self-care and the value it represents to the citizens of Mississippi;

(b) Supports increased consumer empowerment through the development of new nonprescription medicines and the appropriate switch of certain prescription medicines to nonprescription;

(d) Encourages consumers, health care practitioners, policymakers and regulators to communicate the benefits of self-care; and

(e) Recognizes February 2016 as "Self-Care Month in Mississippi."

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be forwarded to the State Board of Health and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.