The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 272 No 7304 p757
19 June 2004

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Medicines information leaflets fail to meet needs of asthma patients

Asthma patients may not be getting the information they need, researchers report.

Pharmacists from Leeds University and King’s College, London, and a patient consultant explored medicines information experiences in 23 asthma patients in focus groups. Patients, recruited via posters in community pharmacies in Leeds, were also asked to comment on five patient leaflets for asthma medicines. There were some positive experiences of medicines information in general but many examples of information failure, the researchers say. Individualised information was valued, with leaflets generally seen as less helpful than face-to-face advice.

Although practical information on medicine-taking was generally seen to be good, information on the medicines themselves remained inadequate. This information, particularly data on interactions, tended to come from pharmacists. The personal risk of side effects emerged as an important theme for patients. Patients were critical of misinformation on medicines from health professionals, particularly relating to inhaled steroids, and some users did not trust leaflets from manufacturers.

The researchers conclude that verbal information is the essential first step, with face-to-face contact valued and health professionals needing to be open when talking about the risks of side effects. They suggest that verbal information is backed up by the written word. However, the mandatory leaflets defined by EU legislation do not meet patient need, they say.

The researchers also conclude that people who take medicines should be involved in the development and testing of medicines information leaflets (Patient Education and Counseling 2004;53:167).

Anna Murphy, respiratory pharmacist, Glenfield Hospital, Leicester, says that this study confirms her beliefs that company patient information leaflets are not user friendly and are largely ignored by patients. She suggested that pulmonary rehabilitation courses are an ideal place for patients to discuss medicines issues face-to-face with a health professional. She had recently counselled a patient worried that he was developing Parkinson’s disease after experiencing tremor from salbutamol nebules.

Ms Murphy was most concerned that a third of all patients received no information on how to use an inhaler device and asks why pharmacists are not providing this.