Patients Say Drug Leaflets Are Hard to Read, Understand

Patients report that leaflets provided with prescription drugs do not meet their needs, according to a new systematic review. Instead, poor layout and complex language often hinder communication.

Review studies confirm that written drug information does not improve patient understanding of their medications. Many people would like information that better helps them evaluate potential benefits and harms of a drug treatment.

"If you're going to have safe and effective medicines use, then we need to give patients the tools to do that job," says lead author D.K. Raynor, Ph.D., of the University of Leeds in England.

The reviewers emphasize that patients want written information in addition to