Questionnaire Survey of Information Printed on the Blister Pack of Medicine in Japan

Abstract

Introduction: In Japan, dispensing medicines in blister packs is more common than dispensing them in boxes containing the blister packs. Handling errors by health care professionals and medication errors by patients can occur depending on the level of understanding of the package information. Methods: A survey was conducted to determine whether the expiration dates and medicinal effects of 220 randomly selected blister packs were recorded. In the survey, respondents were asked to indicate the percentage of blister-packed medicines that they expected would have expiration dates and medicinal effects written on them. Respondents were then asked to rate the expiration dates and medicinal effects written on the blister pack medicines on a scale of 10, from unnecessary to very necessary. Results: Of the 220 randomly selected blister packs, expiration dates were listed on 10.5%, and medicinal effects were listed on 31.4%. In the questionnaire survey, pharmacists accurately described the percentages of expiration dates and medicinal effects, whereas the prescribing doctors and nurses did not. Medical professionals wanted the expiration dates written on blister packs. Regarding the description of medicinal effects, there were differences in requests among the prescribing doctors, nurses, and pharmacists. Conclusion: We focused on the level of understanding of information printed on oral drug blister packs. There are differences among medical professionals, such as prescribing doctors, nurses, and pharmacists, in their views on the expiration dates and descriptions of the medicinal effects of blister packs. Medical professionals had differing opinions on the items listed on the blister packs, such as the expiration date and medicinal effects. This can potentially cause medical malpractice and reduce medication adherence.