• 02
  • May
    2011

According to a recent Wall Street Journal article, there is currently an effort within the pharmaceutical industry to make prescription drug information more understandable and less cumbersome for consumers. That push comes in large part as an industry response to a rise in emergency room cases and hospitalizations in recent years from patients taking medication incorrectly.

As the article points out, though, medical errors, unforeseen reactions, the occasional failure to provide adequate warning, as well as increasingly complex medication regimens-particularly for elderly individuals and those with multiple, chronic conditions-all contribute to a problem the industry is trying to solve.

At present, consumers purchasing prescription drugs receive up to three different pamphlets along with their medications. These include FDA-approved inserts from the manufacturer, FDA required medication guides for certain types of drugs, as well as consumer medical information given by third-party companies. But the information provided to consumers isn't always accurate and some parts may conflict with other parts. Prescription labels are not standardized and vary from pharmacy to pharmacy, often leaving customers confused.

In an effort to solve the problem, the U.S. Pharmaceutical Convention is currently developing a new national standard for prescription labels which would require easy-to-understand instructions as to the dose and timing, as well as a clear statement of the purpose of the drug.

Joining in the effect to raise national awareness about taking medication according to instruction are roughly 100 industry and nonprofit groups. That campaign will be take place this month, and is directed by the National Consumers League. The campaign will provide websites for health care professionals and consumers. Doctors and pharmacists are also being advised to effectively instruct patients about their medications.

In our next post, we'll continue on with this topic.

Source: Wall Street Journal, "'Use Only as Directed' Isn't Easy," Laura Landro, 26 April 2011.