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SUCCESS OF PRIVATE SECTOR PATIENT INFORMATION WITH PRESCRIPTION MEDICINES ASSESSED

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today announced the findings from a 2001 study designed to assess the extent and usefulness of private sector prescription information patients receive when filling their prescriptions. Study results show approximately 89 percent of patients received written information about the drugs prescribed for them.

FDA commissioned the study under the provisions of Public Law 104-180, which was passed in 1996 and required the Department of Health and Human Services to evaluate the adequacy of private sector prescription drug information given to patients. The goal contained in that law was that 75 percent of patients obtaining new prescriptions by the year 2000 receive useful written information.

The study, conducted by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy to assess the receipt and usefulness of patient information, reveals that 89 percent of patients received written information.
Although this figure surpasses the goal of 75 percent, the overall usefulness of information provided, as measured by 8 objective consensus-based criteria, was about 50 percent. The scores for individual criteria varied, with the highest scores (greater than 90 percent) showing that the information distributed was scientifically accurate, up-to-date, and non-promotional.

Because the agency sees progress in meeting the goals set under Public Law 104-180, FDA will continue to work with private sector partners to improve the usefulness of patient information, and meet the goal for the year 2006, which calls for 95 percent of patients obtaining new prescriptions to receive useful written medication information at the time of dispensing.

On July 17, 2002, the FDA's Drug Safety and Risk Management Advisory Committee will meet to discuss means to improve usefulness of consumer information. Today's study results can be obtained on the FDA Internet site at www.fda.gov/cder/reports/prescriptionInfo/default.htm.

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