Complex Drug Names "Pose Risk"

The complex nature of drug names can be harmful to patients, academics say. Eye movement experts say complex words and designs on prescription drugs can lead both pharmacists and customers to make mistakes. The Applied Vision Research Institute, based at the University of Derby, said a quarter of all medication errors were caused by confusing labels. Researchers assessed the understanding volunteers had of medical packaging after seeing a series of slides. The groups' eye movements were monitored during the slide show. The volunteers then filled out questionnaires, which revealed the discrepancies between what the volunteers understood and information displayed on the packaging Institute director Professor Alastair Gale said mistakes caused by confusing labels can be serious if the wrong medicine or dosage is taken.