UPDATE 1-US FDA aims to fight avoidable harm from medicines

* Thousands harmed each year by preventable side effects

* Surgery room fires, acetaminophen overuse eyed

* Manufacturers may be required to take steps

* Voluntary efforts may address some problems (Adds FDA, industry comments)

By Lisa Richwine

SILVER SPRING, Md., Nov 4 (Reuters) - U.S. health officials unveiled plans to fight avoidable injuries from medication errors or misuse, a problem that harms hundreds of thousands of people each year and can be deadly.

The Food and Drug Administration said on Wednesday that a more coordinated effort was needed across the nation's healthcare system, and with patients and manufacturers, to reduce unnecessary complications from misuse, dosing errors, drug interactions or abuse.

The agency said it will work with doctors, nurses, patient groups and others to identify medicines linked to preventable complications and develop strategies to prevent them.

Manufacturers may be required to take steps to help minimize risks from specific medicines, FDA officials said. Some problems could be addressed through voluntary efforts such as education campaigns.