Evaluation of Pictograms in Package Insert of Over-the-Counter Drugs

Abstract

Objective: In order to improve the comprehension of Over-The-Counter (OTC) drug package inserts, we developed corresponding precautionary pictograms before usage and implemented a comprehension test.  In this study, pictograms were included in OTC-drug package inserts and we evaluated their influence on consumer attention and comprehension degree towards usage precautions.
Methods: Three package insert versions (A, B, C) were designed regarding a stomach medicine that is currently in the market.  A contained text only, B contained intelligible pictograms and text, and C contained unintelligible pictograms and text.  Both an eye-tracking survey (attention) and questionnaire (comprehensibility) were conducted among university students.  In the eye tracking survey, research objects evaluated a randomly selected package insert, following which they were separated into three groups (A, B, C) and compared.
Results: The eye-tracking survey revealed that group B’s dwell time was longer than group A in the [Lactating women] and [Consultation matter before use] sections.  The comprehension test indicated that group B scored higher than group A in terms of [Symptoms that require consultation before use] accuracy.
Conclusion: The eye-tracking survey results indicate that group B’s pictograms can help consumers better understand information in OTC-drug package inserts, directing consumers’ attention to information that might easily be overlooked.  The comprehension test results confirm that group B’s pictograms positively enhance comprehension degree.