British Patient Safety Commissioner said that patients with vision or hearing impairment were facing security risks while taking medication and using medical devices.
A report made by Dr Henrietta Hughes set “serious gaps and deficiencies” about how people with sensory disorders can access the information needed to use these products safely.
The report was withdrawn on the evidence collected between September and December 2024. Resources included focus groups, responses to an electronic survey and yellow card reports submitted to the drug and health products regulatory agency (MHRA).
Common problems include inaccessible packaging, unreadable patient information, weak communication about drug changes and lack of appropriate reporting mechanisms.
Millions of mistakes linked to medication
Report, Safety gap: Safety and accessibility of drugs and medical devices for people with sensory disorderDespite the security campaign efforts, it is estimated that 237 million drug errors occur in the UK every year.
People with vision loss, deafness, sensory disorder, hearing lossor tinnitus Büyük greater obstacles to access information and information about the drugs and medical devices required to stay safe ”.
In the UK, more than two million people live with visual impairment, including those with diabetes. More than 18 million adults are experiencing hearing loss.
Accessible information is the key to patient safety
Margaret Watson, the author of the report, said that Better Access is vital, Professor of Health Services Research and Pharmacy Practice, Strathclyde University. “In order for any patient to use a drug as aimed at, they must first use sufficient and accessible information to make a conscious choice about the expected benefits and risks of using it.”
The report proposed a series of actions to increase safety for patients with sensory disorder. These include:
- MHRA should review whether existing licensing and packaging guides support safe use for patients with sensory loss.
- MHRA, Department of Health and Social Care and the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) Association should promote digital patient information for accessible use.
- NHS UK’s diabetes program team should form a reference group that focuses on medical devices and training for patients with sensory loss.
- The NHS application should be evaluated especially in terms of accessibility especially for visually impaired users.
Industry and Regulator Responses
ABPI Medical Director Dr Amit Aggarwal announced that the industry is working on a “digital first” future for patient information. However, he acknowledged that non -digital formats should be present for those who need them.
“We and other industrial associations are currently working with both the pharmaceutical regulator and the health department, and then we will continue to apply piloting and then electronic patient information brochures,” he said. Medscape News UK.
Printed brochures continue to be a legal requirement in the UK. However, other countries, including the European Union, Australia, South Africa, Japan and Singapore, offer a more flexible approach. This includes providing the first digital drug information, while providing printed brochures to exist on demand.
Julian Beach, the Temporary Executive Director of Health Quality and Access in Mhra, welcomed the publication of the commissioner’s report. He said that the regulator gave feedback before being released.
Beach said, “We are determined to ensure that people with all abilities, including those with sensory disorders, can access safe, effective and high quality drugs and medical devices that they can use smoothly,” Beach said. Medscape News UK.
Authority, the regulator, producers to provide more accessible product information formats for patients when necessary to provide the requirements supported by legislation, he added.
The existing legislation includes the product name of licensed drugs in Braille in the cardboard and the information found in sound format on large pressure, Braille or request.
Beach said Mhra supports continuous efforts, including patient groups, to improve access.
Uz We know that there are opportunities to develop drug information based on user research, including this latest report in order to meet the needs of this patient group, and we are determined to work. ”
Effect on Health results
The Royal National Blind Folk Institute (RNIB) said that he has regularly heard from blind and partially -minded patients struggling with medical labeling and should regain their communication needs over and over again.
Anna If you get an appointment information in a format, you can not read or give medicine with the instructions in a small font, how can you manage your condition effectively? ” He said.
Tylor welcomed the findings of the report. “The principles mentioned in the report are delayed and are about to put patients in the heart of everything, so that they are treated equally and make people feel safer,” he said. Medscape News UK.
Dr Sheena Meredith is a medical writer, editor and consultant in health services communication with a comprehensive experience for health professionals and general people. Qualified about medicine, law and medical ethics.
