Health Affairs

Health Affairs, 26, no. 3 (2007): 731-740 doi: 10.1377/hlthaff.26.3.731 © 2007 by Project HOPE	New Online   Getting Health Reform Done   After the State of the Union   Incremental Reform   E-Health in Developing World   Most-Read Articles in 2009

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Individual Level

Educating Patients About Their Medications: The Potential And Limitations Of Written Drug Information

William H. Shrank and Jerry Avorn

Drug information on labels and inserts is a major source of knowledge for patients as they attempt to balance the risks and benefits of drugs and administer them safely. Yet this information is often inconsistent, incomplete, and difficult for patients to read and understand. We reviewed the numerous sources of written prescription drug information, the regulations that govern their content and format and the lack of oversight in the process, and the history that led to this system. We suggest that oversight and standards are needed so that written drug information can serve as a coherent and organized system to educate patients.

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