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Medication labeling practices at in-patient hospital pharmacies: the present dilemma in Pakistan


MOJ Drug Design Development & Therapy
Madeeha Malik, Azhar Hussain, Tunzeela Amin
Hamdard University, Pakistan
Azhar Hussain , Hamdard University, Pakistan
Tunzeela Amin, Hamdard University, Pakistan

Abstract

Drug labels provide first hand information to the patients as well as it provides a unique identity to the medical product. Misreading the label, inadequate information on label, inappropriate labeling font, writing style and its placement on the dosage form are the few of the barriers identified for inappropriate labeling practices.

1.1.Objective:The main objective of the present study was to assess current labeling practices in inpatient departments of health care facilities among public and private sectors in twin cities of Pakistan.

1.2.Methodology:A descriptive cross-sectional study design was used. A total of twenty healthcare facilities were randomly selected i.e. 10 from public and 10 from private sectors. As per WHO criteria thirty encounters per facility were observed. ISMP guidelines were used to develop a structured observation form. After data collection, data was recorded on structured observation form containing pre-determined set of indicators. After data collection, data was cleaned, coded and entered in SPSS version 21. Descriptive statistics of frequency and percentages were calculated. Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests (p ≤ 0.05) were performed to find out differences among variables.

1.3.Results:Out of total hospitals visited only 10% were having proper IPD pharmacy setup in public sector while in private sector 50% were having proper IPD pharmacy setup. Significant differences (p ≤ 0.05) were found among the labeling practices carried for label identification, label instruction and label layout with respect to city, sector, gender, designation, age, experience and dosage form. Labeling practices carried in private sector and healthcare facilities located in Islamabad were comparatively better than the public sector and healthcare facilities located in Rawalpindi. Pharmacists had relatively more compliance with the standard labeling guidelines.

1.4.Conclusion:The present study concluded that the labeling practices carried at the hospital pharmacies were not up to the mark. Although labeling practices in terms of labeling identification was appropriately mentioned but labeling instructions and layout were not in compliance with the standard labeling guidelines. This might be due to lack of availability/implementation of national standard labeling guidelines, lack of interest, knowledge and training of dispensers regarding good labeling practices. 

Keywords

Demographic, Methodology, IPD, Extemporaneous, Regimen, Dispensers, Pharmacists, Ethopia, Ingredients, Labeling, Healthcare, Assessment, Indicators, Kruskal-Wallis, ISMP

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