Ms Kerry Deans, Chief Executive Officer, Pharmaceutical Society of Australia, comments:
Pharmacists are required by State legislation to place dispensing labels on medicine containers which are usually understood to be the primary container. There are exceptions on some types of medicines, but I do not believe these are relevant in this case.
As you would be aware, there is also much other mandatory information (e.g. trade name, active ingredient name, dose form, strength, quantity, expiry date, warning statements and other regulatory requirements) that the manufacturer must provide on the original label on the container of prescription medicines.
There is a general expectation that pharmacists should not obscure any vital information on the manufacturer's label when affixing the pharmacy dispensing label. At times this presents a challenge, particularly with small containers, and pharmacists may opt to 'flag' the label (where part of the label is folded back onto itself) or place the label on the outer box or packaging.
In such cases it would be reasonable to expect the pharmacist to provide verbal reinforcement of the key messages as well as perhaps an explanation of why the dispensing label has not been placed on the primary container.
In some instances it may also be beneficial if the patient was able to communicate their preference to assist with safe and appropriate administration and quality use of medicines.
