ASHP's public service announcements (PSAs) are designed to raise public awareness about the roles of pharmacists in hospitals and health systems.

"Ask for Me"-Television PSA

Filmed at the Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, the PSA expands the public's perception of where pharmacists practice and the ways practitioners in hospitals and health systems work with physicians and nurses to provide safe and effective drug therapy. Learn more.

"Hammer"-Radio PSA

This radio public service announcement uses humor to encourage consumers to keep a record of their medications. The PSAs point listeners to ASHP's consumer Web site, Safemedication.com to download a medication list template.

Versions of the PSAs are available for download that can be customized with information about your practice site.

Listen to the PSAs:

• Listen to the :30 PSA  [945 KB]
• Listen to the :60 PSA  [1,884]

Customizing the PSA

The PSAs were created with a six-second space at the end to allow for your organization's name to be inserted. To add your organization's name to the end of the PSA, provide the radio station with a six-second script. The radio station will then conduct a "live-read," which means the on-air personality will play the PSA, and then read your script.

• PSA—30 second version (audio, 944KB)
• PSA—60 second version (audio, 1,882KB)
• CD Label [PDF]
• Sample Script [DOC]
• Sample Cover letter [DOC]

Tips for Placing the PSA

1. Work with your hospital's public relations department. Give the public relations staff at your hospital a copy of the PSAs and ask for their help in working with radio stations.
2. Research your local radio outlets. Decide which of the radio stations in your community you'd like to send the PSAs. Generally, the advertising or public service directors at the radio stations are responsible for PSA placements.
3. Send the PSA. Mail the PSAs directly to your contact at the station and request that they play the PSA. After a few days, call your contact to confirm they received the PSAs and if they will air them. If you are using the PSAs to supplement an existing campaign, ask to meet with the public service director to discuss the goals and importance of your program.
4. Follow up. Call the radio station a few days after initial contact has been made. Ask if the station plans to run the PSAs. If they have not yet been considered, ask when you should follow up.
5. Say, "Thank You!". Make sure to send a thank you letter to the outlets that have run the PSAs. Let them know you appreciate the part they played in raising awareness about medication safety in your community.

Contact Aretha Hankinson if you have any questions about using the PSAs.