From Mrs A. Hammond
SIR,-I have recently collected my repeat prescription for thyroxine 25µg and 50µg. The 25µg tablets are now in blister packs and are from CP Pharmaceuticals of Wrexham. The "25" on the reverse of the sheet is minute. Even with glasses I have to peer at it to be able to decipher it. Once I have "popped" several I doubt whether it will be at all legible. No doubt, next time I collect my prescription the 50µg will also be in blister packs. Differentiating between strengths will be well nigh impossible.
There can be no excuse for such a crass and thoughtless arrangement. (It would be naive to think that the sheet will stay in its box - it will not. I am only like the vast majority of patients.)
Pharmacists could usefully look after their patients' interests by putting pressure on manufacturers to make sure that their products are clearly labelled for the patient as well as the dispenser.
Meanwhile, this wife of a pharmacist is about to defeat the object of blister packs by "popping" the tablets into an empty bottle.
Angela Hammond
Leeds
Mr GORDON URQUHART (head of regulatory and medical information, CP Pharmaceuticals) replies: We at CP Pharmaceuticals pride ourselves in being responsive to the needs of the patient. We can assure your correspondent that the printed text on the blister foil of our thyroxine tablets is being actively reviewed in the light of these comments. Unfortunately, the nature of the pharmaceutical industry is such that changes cannot be made overnight and it may be several months before revised blister text becomes available.