Assessing Medicine Labels to Improve Usability

Abstract

The information on how and when to take a prescribed medicine is provided to the patient by the doctor. Although different countries, even states may have different standards and regulations, it is a necessity for almost each drug to include medication labels. Medication labels refer to, Container Label, Consumer Medication Information (CMI), Package Insert, and Medication Guide. The labels are prepared based on health literacy and aim to improve patient safety. If people cannot understand the health information they need or receive inadequate/inaccurate knowledge of disease and treatment, this may cause serious problems. Therefore, to avoid costly urgent services and adverse effects; medication labels must be design for potential users. This study investigates how information is presented in several medical labels. To improve usability, factors to be considered are defined and assessed by a survey. A case study is provided to compare the current printed package insert and the redesigned one.

Keywords: Medicine labels, Usability, Readability, Drug labelling, Information leaflets, Package inserts

DOI: 10.54941/ahfe100539