The National Consumers League seeks a motivated intern who wants to work with a nonprofit advocacy group. The League is a national membership organization that protects and promotes social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the United States and abroad on issues including telemarketing and Internet fraud, food and drug safety, and fair labor standards.

The intern will assist NCL staff with ongoing projects and research, related to the SOS Rx coalition. SOS Rx, a new collaborative coalition convened by NCL, is dedicated to promoting outpatient medication safety, initially among seniors.  The coalition includes participation by more than 60 consumer and patient safety organizations, physician, pharmacist, caregiver and employer groups, and government.

SOS Rx has developed an action agenda identifying the consumer actions and system changes with the greatest potential for enhancing the safe use of outpatient medications.  The action agenda includes projects focusing on:  educating consumers about the risks of various products interacting with certain high risk medications; developing a clearinghouse of safe practices; promoting the use of the personal medication record; and accelerating the adoption of e-prescribing.  NCL, with the help of coalition members, will be implementing the action agenda over the next year. 

The intern will assist NCL staff with researching the project areas, contacting member organizations for input and collaboration, and assisting in the coordination of meetings.

This internship will provide an opportunity to:

• Gain knowledge about current health policy issues surrounding outpatient medication use;

• Become familiar with various health care organizations, including government agencies, and their role in promoting safe medication use;

• Understand coordination and management of a national coalition; and

• Be involved in an initiative that contributes to improved health for millions of Americans.

In addition, a National Consumers League health policy internship provides the following areas of experience: