Usefulness of package inserts: Do we really read them!
Journal Title: Indian Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology - Year 2017, Vol 4, Issue 3
Abstract
Introduction: Package inserts (PI) are the required informational leaflets which come along with drug package containing all the necessary and relevant information about the drug. It helps in providing appropriate guidance to doctors, paramedical staff and patients according to their needs. The study was planned to analyze the knowledge, attitude and practice behavior of all stakeholders and find out the deficit in current PI and targets of improvement in PI, for overall benefit of society. Materials and Method: A questionnaire based study was undertaken in 103 doctors, 108 paramedics (nurses and pharmacists) and 102 patients coming to the outpatient departments of the hospital. Results: Knowledge of package inserts and their importance is well known among doctors (88.35%) and paramedics (81.48%) in contrast to patients (39.22%). Doctors are the maximum users of the internet for seeking new information. Doctors (78.25%) followed by paramedics (50.93%) felt PI should be mandatory compared to patients (15.69%). Suggestions regarding improving contents of package inserts were language modifications i.e. including local language which was advocated by patients mostly, increased font size and pictorial representation where ever possible (administration instructions and storage). Other suggestions from paramedics were information about packaging and storage, regular updating of PI. Conclusions: Though mandatory, PI is largely ignored by both manufacturers and stakeholders. If utilized properly it can be an effective tool in educating everyone regarding dos - don’t and necessary information of the drugs thus aiding in avoiding adverse effects and promoting correct utilization of medicines.
Authors and Affiliations
Mohini S. Mahatme, Vartika Gupta, Mukunda B. Bargade, Sachin K. Hiware
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP295701
- DOI 10.18231/2393-9087.2017.0032
- Views 91
- Downloads 0
Anti arthritic potentials of Piper betle- A preclinical study
The objective of the recent work was to evaluate the antiarthritic activity of Piper betle leaves against CFA induced arthritis in rats Antiarthritic activity of hydroalcoholic 14 extract of Piper betle leaves was invest...
Analgesic activity of Terminalia bellerica fruit pulp aqueous extract by using acetic acid induced writhing test in Swiss albino mice by peripheral mechanism
Objective To evaluate analgesic activity of Terminalia bellerica fruit pulp aqueous extract by acetic acid induced writhing reflex test in Swiss albino mice by peripheral mechanism Materials and MethodsAlbino mice of Swi...
Study of serum glucose and cholesterol level in schizophrenic patient’s before and after treatment of olanzapine, risperidone and haloperidol
Objectives To evaluate the potential association between antipsychotics Olanzapine Risperidone and Haloperidol serum glucose level and serum cholesterol level in schizophrenic patientsIntroduction Schizophrenia is quite...
Pattern of Antibiotic prescription in Urinary tract Infection
Urinary tract infection (UTI) is a very commonly noted entity in clinical practice. UTI is defined as the presence of bacteria in urine along with symptoms of infection. Antimicrobials are used commonly for urinary tract...
Impact of educational intervention on knowledge and attitude about rational use of medicine among doctors doing internship
Introduction: Rational use of medicine(RUM) include prescribing correct medication, dose, duration of treatment at correct cost. Intern doctors are most prone to prescribing errors, yet are expected to perform a signific...