Knowledge on the Information Appeared on Medication Labels among Clients of the Outpatient Pharmacy Services of Thasala Hospital, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province

Abstract

Objective: To study knowledge among client of outpatient pharmacy service on the information appeared on medication labels, and their preferences on information to be displayed on medication labels and personal factors associated with such knowledge. Method: The subjects were clients of the outpatient pharmacy services of Thasala Hospital, Nakhon Si Thammarat. The researchers examined top three most prescribed medicines in outpatient pharmacy services i.e., paracetamol, chlorpheniramine, and amoxicillin. The researchers interviewed the clients to collect personal information, asked them to read the labels of 3 selected medications aforementioned, and assessed their corresponding knowledge. Subsequently, they were interviewed on reading of medication labels and their preferences on information to be displayed on medication labels. Data collection was conducted during December 25, 2019 to January 30, 2020. Results: There were 350 participants in the study. Knowledge scores of 61.14%, 24.00%, and 14.86% of the clients were at ≥ 80%, 60-79% and ≤59% of the full score of 100. The question on QR code had the highest proportion of clients with incorrect answer. Personal factors associated with knowledge on medication labels were age, education level, and English reading ability. 30.57% of subjects did not read drug labels every time they took medications. Most of the information they needed was already available on labels, such as Thai generic name, indication, and side effects. The subjects suggested increasing the font size of letters on the labels. Conclusion: Most of the clients had knowledge score at 80% or over of the full score. However, some information on the labels was not understandable by the clients, such as the QR code. Their needed information was already on the medicine labels.