Read, understand and take the medication as prescribed

As a user you should read and understand the medicines label before taking the medication as prescribed. The right use of medicines according to doctor’s instructions and advice provided by the pharmacist is important to ensure an effective and safe treatment. Label on the medication envelope comprises important information about how to take medication correctly and safely. Therefore, it is crucial to read and understand the label on the medication envelope to prevent medication errors.

Compulsory requirement that should be incorporated on the label of medication envelope

Medication errors can be avoided if the medications label are carefully read and understood.

In general, the following are the information available on the medication envelope;

1. Name and address of the supplier or seller (clinic or community pharmacy)
2. Generic name of the medicines / name of the active ingredient
3. Patient’s name
4. Date of drugs supplied or sold
5. The reference number of patients in the record books
6. Complete instruction on how to take the medications
7. Label “CONTROLLED MEDICINE” (for controlled drugs only)

Issues of brand name and generic name

Users are encouraged to learn the actual name of the medication instead of trade names to avoid confusion. But there are still many who do not understand and confused about this issues.

The name of a medication known as generic name is the chemical name or the name of the active ingredient of the medication. This name is applicable worldwide. For example ‘Paracetamol’ is a generic name of the medication, trade name / brand name is the name given by the manufacturer of the drugs and it varies from one manufacturer to another.

The right to know the generic names of the medication

Consumers have the right to know the name of the medication prescribed or supplied to them. Always request for the generic name to be written on the label of their medication.

How to take medication

Medication should be taken correctly to obtain the optimum effect and minimise any undesirable adverse effects of the medication. Patient are advised to taking the medicine in accordance with the instructions written on the label of medication envelope. Therefore, the instruction on how to the medication is very important and must be written clearly on the envelope.

Time to take the medication depends on the frequency of medication need to be taken per day. The general recommendation to take the medication are as below:

1. Before meals

   The purpose of taking medication before meals is to prevent interactions between food and drugs. In addition, it also increases the absorption of the drug if it is taken on an empty stomach, which means 2 hours before food. Example:Bisacodyl, Perindopril, Iron Tablet, etc.

2. After meals

   Some medicines may irritate out stomach. Therefore, taking medicine after food can prevent stomach irritation/discomfort. Example of medicines should be taken with full stomach, which means 2 hours within meals Example: Mefenamic acid, Ranitidine, etc.

3. Before / after meals

   Some medicines can be taken with or without food. Example: Paracetamol medication, Chorpheniramine etc.

4. With food

   The purpose of taking medication with food is to enhance the effects and promote a more effective absorption of the medication. These medications should be tken together with first mouth of food. Examples: Acarbose, Calcium Carbonate etc.

5. Take in the morning only

   Medication such as Frusemide can cause frequent urination. If taken at night it can disturb sleeping pattern, therefore it is recommended to take earlier part of the day. (If the individual is working at night, take the medication at night)

6. Take night only

   Some medications have optimal effect if taken at night. Example: Simvastatin should be taken at night because of increased cholesterol synthesis at night.

7. Take any necessary

   This instruction is given to type of medications that should be taken if there is only a symptom or disease. Example: Paracetamol, Mefenamic acid etc.

Warning Label

According with the provisions of existing law (the Poisons Act 1952) all medications that are sold or supplied must have the label “Controlled Drugs / Controlled Medicine”.

The label “For External Use / For External Use Only” must also be present for the medications that are sold or supplied for external use such as lotions and creams in Bahasa Malaysia, English, Chinese and Tamil. This type label must be in red colour background or written in red.

Price tags

In 2011, the Pharmaceutical Services Division, Ministry of Health (MOH) has introduce a price tag on every medication supplied to patients including on the medication envelope.

The purpose of putting a price tag on every medication is to provide information to patients/consumers regarding the drug prices so that they will be better utilize and appreciate the provision of subsidized medicines by government so that compliance in taking these medicines increase.

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