Right on Target
with safer labels.
From the May 2005 issue
 Target
has taken a bold step in redesigning the traditional pharmacy
vial and container label. The innovative design was the basis
of a 29-year-old graphic designer's thesis project. She recognized
that traditional prescription vials and labeling could contribute
to medication errors after her grandmother mistakenly took
pills belonging to her grandfather. The ClearRxSM system,
which was recently launched at Target stores nationwide, was
designed to enhance patient safety and compliance.
Take a look at some of the safety features of the new system:
- Most important information at the top. Traditional
labels emphasize the pharmacy name, address, and phone number
at the top of the label. Unfortunately, the patient's name
and instructions for use are overshadowed and appear lower
on the label with the medication name at the bottom. Too
often, patients are unaware of the names of their medications
and how to take them. The new label, gives priority to the
most important information for patients. In this case, the
patient's name, medication name (highlighted in color and
large print to draw attention to it), strength, and instructions
appear at the top. The medication name also appears in large
print on the peak of the bottle so that it is easily visible
when looking down from above. Less important information
is separated, and appears below a horizontal line.
- Easier to read. The unusually shaped bottle provides
wider front and back panels that allow for better presentation
of information. Also, the flat panels eliminate the need
to rotate the bottle to read all pertinent information.
The information is presented in an uncluttered fashion,
making it easier to read and find necessary information.
- Attached medication information. Pharmacy-provided
medication information leaflets are usually stapled to prescription
bags only to be thrown away after being read once, if at
all. It's estimated that nearly three out of four patients
throw out the medication leaflet stapled to the bag. The
ClearRxSM system contains an abbreviated medication information
card that tucks between the back label and the bottle to
keep information readily available. The card includes the
patient's name, drug name, description of the medication's
expected appearance, instructions for use, common uses,
and common side effects. A traditional medication information
leaflet is also provided to the patient.
- Color-differentiated identification. In a household
where multiple people take medications that are stored together,
it is easy to confuse one person's medication for another's.
To avoid this problem, the new design uses color to differentiate
each family member's medication. Individuals select one
of the six available colors to be incorporated with their
prescriptions. That color is then added to each of their
medications in the form of a ring around the neck of the
bottle or a colored sticker added to the front label, if
the medication is not packaged in a bottle.
Target's initiative to improve the labeling and packaging
of prescription medications for patients is commendable.
These changes just might represent a great leap forward
in terms of patient safety. We hope that their effort will
spark additional improvements and change throughout the
community pharmacy industry. For additional information
about the ClearRxSM system, go to http://newyorkmetro.com/nymetro/health/features/11700/index.html.
|
