Over-the-counter Medication Safety.

February 17, 2026

National Poison Prevention Week: March 15 to 21, 2026.

National Poison Prevention Week is an annual campaign to raise public awareness of poisoning injuries in Canada, encouraging community involvement as part of the solution. Each year, more than 5,000 people in Canada lose their lives due to poisoning.  Annual unintentional poisoning deaths have surpassed transport-related deaths in Canada.

Medications are the leading cause of poisoning in Canada.

Each year, poison centres in Canada get more than 200,000 calls. The number one reason people call is because of pain medications. This includes prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, and natural health products.

• You can buy over-the-counter medication without a prescription from a doctor. One example is medication that helps with pain, such as acetaminophen. Another example is cough syrup.
• Natural health products are made with plants, minerals or other natural things. Vitamins and traditional medicines are examples.
• Talk to your pharmacist. They can help you use prescriptions, over-the-counter medications and natural health products safely.

This year, the pan-Canadian theme will centre on encouraging people in Canada to: #RethinkPoisons and use over-the counter medications and natural health products safely. 

The 2026 campaign hashtags are:

Primary: #RethinkPoisons (English); #RepenserLesPoisons (French)

Secondary: #NPPW2026 (English); #SNPE2026 (French)

The key messages and supporting resources are now available on the Parachute website in English and French.

2026 resources (English)

• Program page and key messages
• Social media guide
• Social media images folder
• Backgrounder document

2026 resources (French)

• Program page and key messages
• Social media guide
• Social media images folder
• Backgrounder document

Possible poisoning? Call your local poison centre.

• The Manitoba Poison Centre is available to help you over the phone 24 hours a day, every day of the year. They can help you with poison emergencies and with questions about poisoning. Call 1- 855 – POISON (1-855-776-4766):
  • If you are concerned that a poisoning has occurred
  • For information on how to prevent poisonings
  • If you are a health-care professional and want treatment advice
• Keep the number of your poison centre nearby or in your phone. Program the number into your phone’s contact list or keep it in a visible location, such as on your fridge.
• If the person loses consciousness, has difficulty breathing or is having a seizure, call 911.