HR0059 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0059 LRB100 06934 MST 16985 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Self-care is a lifelong daily habit of healthy lifestyle choices, good hygiene practices, prevention of infection and illness, 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 over-the-counter (OTC) medicines as 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 six to seven dollars 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, Illinois 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 the reduced use of health care services; and

WHEREAS, Illinois encourages its citizens to take advantage of the availability of self-care to improve personal and public health, save personal and public treasury, and strengthen the sustainability of the Illinois health care system; and

WHEREAS, Achieving the potential of self-care is a shared opportunity for consumers, health care practitioners, policymakers, and regulators; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we recognize the importance of improving awareness of self-care and the value it represents to the citizens of Illinois; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we support increased consumer empowerment through the development of new nonprescription medicines and the appropriate switch of certain prescription medicines to nonprescription; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we acknowledge that over-the-counter medicines can greatly improve and reduce costs to the public health system; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we encourage consumers, health care practitioners, policymakers, and regulators to communicate the benefits of self-care; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we recognizes February of 2017 as Self-Care Month in Illinois.