Innovation

Out latest thinking in label design

We continually strive to improve our product quality and patient safety. As part of this process the company recently introduced some developments to our labels.

The company reviewed label formats during 2010 in the light of four drivers for change:

1. The emerging recommendations from the NPSA with regard to Injectable Medicines

2. Advice from the British Pharmacopoeia

3. Evidence of best practice emerging from the MHRA�s wider work on patient information

4. The momentum gathering within the NHS for the use of barcodes

5. Recognised and adopted national and/or international standards.

As a result, Bath ASU has implemented a series of changes.

Phase 1:

These changes are limited to the format of the label and font sizes. We have tried to keep essential information grouped together in separate panels so that specific information is not mixed up.

One of the other clear recommendations from the NPSA “Guide on the labelling and packaging of Injectable medicines” (Page 20-23) is that the total quantity in total volume is expressed and emphasised.

We have tried to do this through a clear panel on the top of the label and this is emphasised by using larger and bolder font sizes. All font sizes used have been tested and were determined to be easily readable.

We have avoided continually adding erroneous information and displaying in font size 6.

These changes will initially happen with all batch chemotherapy products and some CIVAS lines and will be phased in over the next four weeks throughout late July 2010 and early August 2010

Phase 2:

These changes will address the judicious use of colour, inclusion of barcodes, improved secondary packaging labels etc.

The second phase began implementation in November 2010 and is scheduled to be completed by April 2011.

If you have been considering these issues recently then Bath ASU would welcome your input.