The Department of Health (DOH) said yesterday that it would be offering classes at 31 community colleges to teach the public basic pharmaceutical knowledge as well as appropriate methods for taking medicine.
The classes will be open to people of all ages and will be free of charge.
Because the health classes were well received by the 1,000 students who attended them in February, DOH officials decided to hold classes again this fall.
"The classes aim to alleviate the consequences of false advertising. Education is the most important [factor] in protecting the public from health hazards," said Karin Chen (
The classes will cover a range of topics, including the rights of pharmaceutical consumers, a history of medicine, medicine and the body, food and health, and traditional Chinese medicine.
Each class will be taught by a doctor who specializes in the field of study. Around 150 doctors have already agreed to act as instructors.
Because of the popularity of the 20 classes in February, the classes are now being offered at 31 community colleges all around Taiwan, including formerly excluded Taitung, Pingtung and Hualien.
About 95 percent of those who took the classes in February said they were satisfied with what they had learned.
The classes will be free, although students will have to pay a deposit. Students who choose to pay for the health classes can claim college credit. The first class begins on Sept. 1.
While classes are open to all, Chiang Shao-chin (
According to Chiang, this project aims to decrease the National Health Insurance's financial burden by instilling knowledge of appropriate medicinal usage in individuals. More information can be found on the DOH's Web site (www.doh.gov.tw).
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