"We want to increase understanding of the industry’s system for ensuring medicine safety," said Dr. Joseph M. Feczko, chief medical officer for Pfizer.

"Currently, information about drug safety is available through numerous, but fragmented channels, which can be challenging for healthcare professionals and patients as they discuss the risks and benefits of various treatments."

Pfizer says the Web site will feature illustrations and interactive tools to educate about medicine safety. Users will be able to find information and questions to prepare them for a doctor’s visit, along with interactive tools on topics like how to read a medicine label.

The site will also feature a link for reporting side effects from all medical products regulated by the Food and Drug Administration.

 More than a third of Americans surveyed in an April 2007 Harris Pool indicated they did not take prescribed medicine because of safety concerns about risks and more than a quarter chose not to fill a prescription at all over safety concerns.

"With the population aging and medicine use increasing, information about medicine safety is more important than ever before," said Gretchen S. Dieck, Ph.D., senior vice president, Safety and Risk Management for Pfizer.

"Yet surveys of practicing physicians, health policy experts and the general public have revealed a lack of understanding of the fundamental safety science, processes and terminology."