THREE OUT OF five Irish consumers read the product information included with prescription medication, according to the results of a new survey by the Irish Medicines Board (IMB).

The survey examined how consumers source and use information in relation to medicines, and found that close to nine out of 10 people (87 per cent) confirm they understand the product information (ie leaflets and packs) accompanying their medicines. Two thirds of people (63 per cent) state that they always read the product information when taking a prescription medicine, while just one out of two (52 per cent) people in relation to over-the-counter medicines.

The research shows that Irish adults appear conscious of the importance of medicines information and advice, with general practitioners (GPs) and pharmacists cited in the survey as the most trusted sources of advice on medicines, the IMB said.

Other key findings revealed that one in two people always seek advice from a healthcare professional before taking a new over-the-counter medicine, while GPs and consultants are the most trusted sources of information on medicines for some six out of 10 people (64 per cent) with three out of 10 people (31 per cent) citing pharmacists.

The results show that only a very small number of consumers are purchasing medicines online, although the internet is noted to be playing an “increasingly important” role for Irish consumers – with one third of adults (30 per cent) using it as a source of information about medicines.

• One in three adults (36 per cent) with internet access use the internet as an information source on medicines
• Over half (59 per cent) use it to research a particular health problem
• Four out of ten (40 per cent) seek information on types of medicines available to treat specific conditions
• Almost 4 out of 10 people (37 per cent) using online channels for information are attempting to diagnose health symptoms (self-diagnosis)
• Actual purchase of medicines online is low with 2 per cent of all adults claiming to have done so which equates to approximately 60,000 people – the principal types of products cited as purchased online include diet pills, vitamins and nutritional supplements
• While six out of 10 respondents (61 per cent) have a concern about the authenticity or safety of medicines available on the internet, 17 per cent do not have concerns in this regard. Some 22 per cent have never previously considered this issue.

“While medicines offer particular benefits, all medicines do have some potential risks or side effects associated with their use. These potential risks can be minimised when consumers take the right medicines, in the right way and at the right time,” said Pat O’Mahony, Chief Executive of the IMB. “This can be facilitated by consulting with a doctor or pharmacist and by taking the time to read the product information.”

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