Tong, V, Raynor, DK orcid.org/0000-0003-0306-5275 and Aslani, P (2018) Developing alternative over-the-counter medicine label formats: How do they compare when evaluated by consumers? Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy, 14 (3). pp. 248-261. ISSN 1551-7411
Abstract
Background: In recent years, the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has proposed implementing a standardized over-the-counter (OTC) medicine label. However, there were mixed consumer opinions regarding a label proposed in 2012 and limited evidence demonstrating the usability of the revised (2014) format. Objective: To develop and examine the usability of alternative OTC medicine label formats for standardization, and explore consumer perspectives on the labels. Materials and methods: Four alternative labels were developed for the exemplar medicine diclofenac. One was based on the Medicine Information label proposed by the TGA (‘Medicine Information’), one was based on the U.S. Drug Facts label (‘Drug Facts’), and two were based on suggestions proposed by consumers in the earlier needs analysis phase of this research (referred to as the ‘Medicine Facts’ and ‘Consumer Desires’ label formats). Five cohorts of 10 participants were recruited. Each cohort was assigned to user test one of the alternative labels or an existing label for a proprietary diclofenac product (which acted as a comparator) for diagnostic purposes. Each participant then provided feedback on all 5 labels. Each interview consisted of the administration of a user testing questionnaire, measuring consumers’ ability to find and understand key points of information, and a semi-structured interview exploring consumer perspectives. Results: Overall, all 4 alternative label formats supported consumers’ ability to find and understand key points. The existing comparator label was the poorer label with respect to participants’ ability to find and understand key points. Factors such as perceived usability, color, design, content, and/or content ordering impacted consumer preferences. The ‘Consumer Desires’ or ‘Drug Facts’ label formats were most often preferred by consumers for use as the standardized OTC label over the TGA proposed format. Conclusions: All alternative label formats demonstrated satisfactory usability and could be considered for use in OTC label standardization. User testing of OTC labels and consumer feedback received as part of the testing process can assist in the refinement of OTC labeling to ensure that implemented policies are evidence-based.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | (c) 2017 Elsevier Inc. This is an author produced version of a paper published in Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy. Uploaded in accordance with the publisher's self-archiving policy. |
Keywords: | Drug labeling; User testing; Nonprescription medicines; Comprehension; Consumers |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Leeds |
Academic Units: | The University of Leeds > Faculty of Medicine and Health (Leeds) > School of Healthcare (Leeds) > Pharmacy (Leeds) |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Publications |
Date Deposited: | 13 Mar 2017 11:56 |
Last Modified: | 29 Mar 2018 12:25 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Elsevier |
Identification Number: | 10.1016/j.sapharm.2017.03.003 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:113535 |