Return-Path: <nifl-health@literacy.nifl.gov> Received: from literacy (localhost [127.0.0.1]) by literacy.nifl.gov (8.10.2/8.10.2) with SMTP id h6U1J6708768; Tue, 29 Jul 2003 21:19:06 -0400 (EDT) Date: Tue, 29 Jul 2003 21:19:06 -0400 (EDT) Message-Id: <HFEOKEOKAENPEEILPJCFAEBMCOAA.jkeenan@erols.com> Errors-To: listowner@literacy.nifl.gov Reply-To: nifl-health@literacy.nifl.gov Originator: nifl-health@literacy.nifl.gov Sender: nifl-health@literacy.nifl.gov Precedence: bulk From: "Jann Keenan" <jkeenan@erols.com> To: Multiple recipients of list <nifl-health@literacy.nifl.gov> Subject: [NIFL-HEALTH:4068] RE: Guest Speaker--Keenan Question X-Listprocessor-Version: 6.0c -- ListProcessor by Anastasios Kotsikonas X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook IMO, Build 9.0.2416 (9.0.2910.0) Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Content-Type: text/plain; Status: O Content-Length: 1859 Lines: 46 Hello Debbie and list members. It is always refreshing to have expert advice. I vote for inviting the pharmacy speaker during mid-September, once a few questions can be generated. Deb, as you requested a show of hands --I'll participate in the discussion. Here's something I've been wondering about . . . My question to your guest speaker: Have you heard any talk as to whether or not the adopted OTC drug labeling helps pharmacists offer consult more quickly than in the past? Background: A few years back Janet Ohene-Frempong and I helped the FDA and The Nonprescription Drug Manufacturers Association develop a list of interchangeable, easier to understand terms---"too much" replaced the term "excessive", "right away" is now used in lieu of "immediately", "ask your doctor" is used over "consult with a physician or healthcare provider" To aid readability and comprehension, we also worked with a committee to come up with what is called "standard order." You'll always find this order on FDA approved OTC labels: first comes active ingredients, followed by uses, warnings, directions, other information and inactive ingredients. In addition to terms and order--we stressed using high contrast between copy text and background, use of upper and lower case over all capitals, limited use of reverse lettering and bulleted lists. Goal: The goal? To help both the pharmacist and the consumer with at-a-glance comparison between products, as well as making the labels easier to understand. Soooo--does the guest speaker know of any talk about whether this easy-to-read approach is effective in the field? With regards and with curiosity, Jann Jann Keenan, Ed.S. President, The Keenan Group, Inc.-Experts in Health Literacy 9862 Century Drive Ellicott City, MD 21042 410-480-9716 www.keenangroupinc.com Founding member, The Clear Language Group --
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