BACKGROUND: The clarity of prescription drug instructions is a health literacy and medication safety concern.
OBJECTIVE: To assess the variability of pharmacy interpretations of physician prescriptions.
DESIGN: Identically written prescriptions for 4 common medications (atorvastatin, alendronate, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, ibuprofen) were filled in 6 pharmacies (2 largest chains, 2 grocery stores, 2 independents) in 4 cities (Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Austin).
MEASUREMENT: Components of the instruction were coded as dose, frequency, administration route, timing, indication, and auxiliary instructions.
RESULTS: In all, 85 labels were evaluated. Dose frequency was omitted on 6% of instructions ("take 1 tablet for cholesterol"). Timing was explicitly stated on 2% of instructions ("in the morning"). All prescriptions included indications; pharmacies transcribed these onto 38% of labels. The prescription for alendronate stated not to lie down for at least 30 minutes after taking; this was transcribed with 50% of instructions. Reading difficulty was above recommended levels for 46% of instructions; with 14% greater than a high school level.
CONCLUSIONS: Efforts are needed to ensure patients receive clear, consistent information supporting safe medication use.
}, year = {2009}, journal = {Med Care}, volume = {47}, pages = {370-373}, month = {03/2009}, issn = {1537-1948}, doi = {10.1097/MLR.0b013e31818af91a}, language = {eng}, }