Consumer medicines information : an international perspective

Abstract

Consumer medicines information is increasingly relied upon to inform and empower consumers regarding their medicines. Legislation and guidelines are now in operation in the US, European Union (EU) countries and Australasia. The lack of an evidence base has led to a variety of approaches to written information provision across the three continents and each has apparent advantages and disadvantages. This review compares consumer medicines information in the three continents and examines the strengths and weaknesses of each system. It also includes an outline of research conducted by Professor Raynor’s team on the impact of the EU legislation. This will be of particular interest in Malta, in view of the imminent membership of the EU.