Editor, – As a retired doctor, I have recently been prescribed various medications about which I wish to obtain more information. I realise that my doctors do not have the time to detail all the side effects, and anticipated finding these in an information sheet within my new packs.
In the case of Patanol eye drops I was not disappointed - just overwhelmed. With Acimax tablets there was no insert, leading me to ask the pharmacist for the drug information sheet. This was dated 2006 and omitted the important facts that it could cause vitamin B12 deficiency and that in postmenopausal women taking calcium carbonate, calcium malabsorption might occur. The next disappointment was with Celebrex. No insert in the packet and an inadequate drug information sheet reprinted from MIMS. Next, Mobic to replace the ineffective Celebrex. Again no information included.
As so many patients are admitted to hospital suffering from the ill effects of prescribed drugs, any measure which improves surveillance, even by the patient, should be welcomed. I believe that there is a good case to be made for including an information sheet with all prescription drugs listing their common contraindications and side effects accompanied by a caveat saying where further information can be obtained about less common adverse events.
John Martin
Retired general practitioner
Peppermint Grove, WA
