Are consumers provided with adequate information on the actions and uses of ipecacuanha syrup?

Abstract

The results of a study to assess the level of consumer information about the action and uses of Ipecacuanha Syrup (Emetic) Australian Pharmaceutical Formulary (APF) are reported. Of 40 community pharmacies selected at random from the 321 pharmacies in the Perth metropolitan area, four were unable to supply the syrup. Dosage information provided on the labels of branded products was, for the most part, comprehensive and in line with APF recommendations. Syrup samples dispensed under pharmacy labels provided much less detailed dose information and no information on contraindications on the labels. Counselling by pharmacists was mostly adequate, but information provided by pharmacy assistants was much less detailed. The active alkaloid content of about 77% of the samples of ipecacuanha syrup was within +/- 12% of the target concentration; the remainder had only 56%-58% of the required alkaloid concentration, which indicates a need for more stringent quality control.