Abstract
Background
Nonstandard product information leaflets (PIs) may lead to medication errors. We assessed the completeness, and compatibility of, essential information against reference sources in selected PIs of medicines used in Sri Lanka.
Methods
Hundred PIs each were used to assess completeness and compatibility of information, respectively. Availability of essential information was checked against drug regulations of the country. Clinical facts were matched against the British National Formulary and/or Australian Medicines Handbook for compatibility. PIs were categorized as “compatible” if all facts stated under each clinical information type were mentioned in at least one of the references; “partially compatible” if only some facts mentioned under each clinical information type were available in at least one of the references; and “totally incompatible” if none of the facts stated in each clinical information type were mentioned in both references.
Results
Of the 100 PIs, 28% did not include at least one of the essential information required by the regulations. Pharmacokinetic data, duration of treatment, overdose, and special dosage information were frequently missing. Nine types of clinical information in PIs matched with reference sources resulted in 900 cross-matches. Among the cross-matches, 80 (8.9%) partial compatibilities and 8 (0.9%) total incompatibilities were encountered. Nearly half (48%) of the PIs had at least one incompatibility.
Conclusion
Some PIs lacked important medicines information and were incompatible with known references. PIs need to be carefully prepared by medicine manufacturers and meticulously reviewed by regulatory authorities for accuracy and completeness.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Bawazir SA, Abou-auda HS, Gubara OA, et al. Public attitude toward drug technical package inserts in Saudi Arabia. J Pharm Technol. 2003;19:209–218.
Fuchas J, Hippius M, Schaefer M. Analysis of German package inserts. Clin Pharmacol Ther 2006;44:8–13.
Cosmetics Devices and Drugs Act. No. 27 0f 1980. Sri Lanka: Ministry of Health. http://apps.who.int/medicinedocs/documents/s17094e/s17094e.pdf. Accessed January 5, 2017.
Charnock D, Shepperd S, Needham G, Gann R. DISCERN: an instrument for judging the quality of written consumer health information on treatment choices. J Epidemiol Commun Health. 1999;53:105–111.
Joint Formulary Committee. September 2015 — March 2016. British National Formulary 70. London: BMJ Group and Pharmaceutical Press.
Australian Medicines Handbook. Adelaide: Australian Medicines Handbook Pty Ltd; 2011.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Saheeha, M.S.S., Piumanthi, M.H.S., Perera, S.P. et al. Quality of Medicine Information in Product Information Leaflets: A Retrospective Audit. Ther Innov Regul Sci 52, 656–660 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1177/2168479017753128
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/2168479017753128