| Readability of over-the-counter medication labels. | |
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MedLine Citation:
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PMID: 9479403 Owner: NLM Status: MEDLINE |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated information on over-the-counter (OTC) medication labels. Brand-name OTC products were examined to determine compliance with the Label Readability Guidelines recommended by the Nonprescription Drug Manufacturers Association (NDMA). Additionally, the use of pictures on OTC medication labels was assessed. The effect of pictures on other aspects of label design that may affect comprehension was also evaluated. DESIGN: We evaluated 100 OTC medication labels (20 analgesics and 80 cold/cough products). Assessment of label content was based on certain aspects of label design, such as package size, font size of written information, format of information on warnings and indications, use of pictures, and use of advertising claims on product labels. RESULTS: Many products evaluated did not meet NDMA guidelines. Even when font size of product name increased with increase in package size, font size on warnings and indications remained constant at 6 points. Lack of boldface (63%), use of all uppercase font (30%), use of hyphenation (49%), lack of paragraph breaks (19%), and the small font size of 6 points or less (98%) could reduce readability. Packages containing pictures were significantly larger than packages without pictures. Several packages (30%) contained pictures in the indications section. Many products contained advertising claims that were classified as "green" or "quality" (41%) and "free" (38%). Additionally, 43 different advertising claims were identified; some of these may be difficult for patients to interpret. CONCLUSIONS: The findings may help FDA develop specific regulations to improve label readability. Pharmacists who recommend OTC products to consumers should be aware of these issues and evaluate requests by consumers regarding OTC drugs accordingly. |
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Authors:
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S S Sansgiry; P S Cady; S Patil |
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Publication Detail:
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Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't |
Journal Detail:
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Title: Journal of the American Pharmaceutical Association (Washington,D.C. : 1996) Volume: NS37 ISSN: 1086-5802 ISO Abbreviation: J Am Pharm Assoc (Wash) Publication Date: 1997 Sep-Oct |
Date Detail:
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Created Date: 1998-03-25 Completed Date: 1998-03-25 Revised Date: 2008-11-21 |
Medline Journal Info:
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Nlm Unique ID: 9601004 Medline TA: J Am Pharm Assoc (Wash) Country: UNITED STATES |
Other Details:
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Languages: eng Pagination: 522-8 Citation Subset: IM |
Affiliation:
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Department of Pharmacy Practice and Administrative Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Idaho State University, Pocatello 83209, USA. |
Export Citation:
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APA/MLA Format Download EndNote Download BibTex |
| MeSH Terms | |
Descriptor/Qualifier:
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Advertising as Topic Drug Labeling / standards* Evaluation Studies as Topic Humans Nonprescription Drugs* United States United States Food and Drug Administration |
| Chemical | |
Reg. No./Substance:
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0/Nonprescription Drugs |
From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
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