Easier-to-Read Labels and Unique Drug Names Improve Patient Safety
June 24, 2015
Ottawa, ON
Health Canada
As of this month, Health Canada's Plain Language Labelling Regulations begin to come into force - starting with new requirements for manufacturers of prescription drugs to provide mock-ups of labels and packages for Health Canada review; and to provide evidence that proposed brand names will not be confused with previously approved brand names.
The provisions also apply to drugs that are administered or obtained through a health professional. Similar requirements for non-prescription drugs will come into effect in 2017
Drug labels that are easy to read and understand help Canadians to use the right medications correctly and avoid potentially dangerous medication errors. The goal of the Plain Language Labelling initiative is to make drug labels and packaging information easier to read and understand. The Regulations Amending the Food and Drug Regulations (Labelling, Packaging and Brand Names of Drugs for Human Use) were published in July 2014 and are part of the Plain Language Labelling Initiative.
"Similar looking or sounding drug names can cause confusion and make it difficult for patients and healthcare providers to select the correct medication. These new regulations will help to avoid potentially dangerous medication errors. Our Government is delivering on its Speech from the Throne commitments by continuing to make patient safety a top priority."
Rona Ambrose
Minister of Health
"We have already made great strides with Vanessa's Law to improve patient safety and the Plain Language Labelling Regulations is a further measure our Government is taking to help ensure Canadians make well-informed choices concerning their health and that of their families."
Rona Ambrose
Minister of Health
"Canadians deserve to have clear and understandable information about the drugs they are prescribed, and that has to start right on the prescription and labels. When two drug names sound alike, or look alike in writing, a patient can end up taking the wrong drug, which can be deadly. Requiring clear drug names will build on the actions our Government has already taken by passing Vanessa's Law, and will help to save lives."
Terence Young
Member of Parliament for Oakville
Michael Bolkenius
Office of the Honourable Rona Ambrose
Federal Minister of Health
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