Assessment of Medication Labeling Compliance in Outpatient Pharmacy: A Study in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Abstract This study assessed outpatient medication labels in 19 hospitals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, focusing on critical information necessary for safe and effective medication use. The study utilized a structured observation form based on guidelines from the Saudi Food and Drug Authority and the Institute for Safe Medication Practices. The form included indicators related to label identification, instructions, and layout. Compliance rates for each indicator were calculated, revealing varying levels of adherence across different hospitals. High compliance rates were observed for indicators such as the date of dispensing (100%), directions of use (100%), and typing directions in Arabic (100%). However, lower compliance rates were noted for physician and pharmacist information, drug information, and additional medication details, with rates ranging from 0 to 78.9%. Specifically, the inclusion of physician and pharmacist registration numbers had a compliance rate of 0%. The study highlighted significant gaps in standardizing medication labels, emphasizing the need for including essential information such as total quantity dispensed, number of refills, warning labels, medication indication, and storage conditions. Additionally, the use of barcodes, hospital logos, and Tallman letters was found to be inconsistent. In conclusion, the findings underscore the necessity for standardizing outpatient medication labeling practices to improve patient safety and medication management. This study calls for collaborative efforts, knowledge sharing, and the implementation of best practices to achieve consistent and accurate medication labeling in Saudi Arabia.