Abstract
Purpose: To investigate the knowledge and attitude of outpatients regarding pharmaceutical package inserts (PPIs) in Karachi, Pakistan. Methods: The study design was cross-sectional and conducted from August to December 2013. A previously validated questionnaire was adopted, modified and revalidated. Outpatients were asked to respond to the questionnaire. Results: A total of 456 patients responded to the questionnaire. The patients (n = 226, 49 %) were found to be keen on reading inserts in their mother language. Among the study population, 24.1 % (n = 110) of respondents faced problem in reading and 29.8 % (n = 136) in understanding inserts. There was general awareness of the essential components of package inserts and 78.3 % (n = 357) of patients opted for further improvement in PPIs of drugs available in Pakistan. Chi square test revealed that educational status of patients was significantly associated with all of the items of the questionnaire (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The current status of PPIs of drugs available in local markets in Pakistan does not satisfy the patients’ criteria and, therefore, needs improvement. The findings of this study provide a direction necessary to overcome problems related to PPIs and hence promote safe and effective use of medicines.
Highlights
Safety and efficacy of medicines accompanied with accurate and reliable drug product information
The present plan comprising of questionnaire based study was executed to be acquainted with the perception of outpatients of Karachi about pharmaceutical package inserts (PPIs)
The study outcomes revealed that 22.8 % (n = 104) of patients do not read PPIs before using the medications
Summary
Safety and efficacy of medicines accompanied with accurate and reliable drug product information. Pharmaceutical companies adopt various scientific ways to provide information including verbal communication through medical representatives, scientific meetings as well as written material (periodical, promotional materials, pharmaceutical packaging insert). The pharmaceutical package insert (PPI) is an important tool for providing essential drug information to patients taking over-the-counter (OTC) medicines. Studies have shown that the PPI helps to bridge the information gap between health care providers and patients and boosts the level of patients’ knowledge about medications [2]. It is very important that the information written on PPI should strictly follow the criteria as that it should be comprehensive, up to date, clear and legible for patients and care givers in case of OTC drugs
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