Healthy Skepticism Library item: 10444
Warning: This library includes all items relevant to health product marketing that we are aware of regardless of quality. Often we do not agree with all or part of the contents.
Publication type: Journal Article
Fuchs J, Hippius , M .
Inappropriate dosage instructions in package inserts
Patient Educ Couns 2007 July; 67:((1-2)):157-168
Abstract:
Abstract
Objective: Regardless of all efforts by the supervisory authority and the manufacturers to ensure that package inserts are patient-oriented, they are still under discussion. The survey package insert test (PAINT) aimed to examine the availability and comprehensibility of the information
contained on five package inserts and five model versions for the same drugs. Methods: A questionnaire containing 15 questions referring to the package insert contents was developed for a written survey. In a cross-over test design, each participant received an original package insert and a newly developed model version within an interval of 4 weeks. Results: One thousand one hundred and five participants gave significantly more correct answers (92.6–94.4%) to all 15 questions relating to the model package inserts, in comparison to the originals (74.7–85.8%). Most of the problems regarding the original versions were associated with the fact that the dosage instructions were given in active substance quantities rather than ‘‘tablet’’ or ‘‘volume’’, non-quantifiable phrases in the dosage instructions (e.g. take 1–3 times 2–4 tablets) and in the frequency of side effects (e.g. rare). Information regarding suitable counter measures to
possible side effects, was also difficult to understand. Conclusion: Optimizing package inserts, particularly dosage instructions and information regarding possible side effects, is essential and
achievable. Practice implications: Our recommendations are as follows: (1) every dose should be quantified in number of tablets or in volume; (2) use a dosage instruction table; (3) provide short and precise information only; (4) do not use non-quantifiable statements.
Keywords:
Package insert; Patient information; User test; PAINT-survey; Readability; Dosage instruction
Notes:
See also:
HSL5033
Fuchs J, Hippius M, Schaefer M.
Analysis of German package inserts.
Int J Clin Pharmacol Ther 2006 Jan;44(1):8-13
