Abstract
In order to improve patients' understanding of prescribed medicines, we introduced the principles of universal design into drug information, basing this on the concept of providing easily understandable, user-friendly information in a visually appealing manner.
In this report, we describe the use of visual effects in the provision of drug information. This was done according to the following 3 guidelines : 1) providing visual aids such as pictograms and illustrations in addition to text, 2) displaying information throughout the prescription rather than splitting it up into that pertaining to individual medicines, and 3) stratifying information according to clinical importance. The types of information to which this was applied included 1) information on substances used for pleasure (tobacco, alcohol, etc.), foods and beverages that are known to interact with prescribed medicines, for which patients should exercise caution, 2) information on daily living and the storage of prescribed medicines, and 3) information on the adverse effects of prescribed medicines.
In a questionnaire survey conducted to compare our new format for providing drug information with conventional methods, most respondents thought that the great use of visual information made it easier to understand the drug information in their prescriptions. They were all very satisfied with it, and most hoped that it would be continued.
In conclusion, applying universal design to the drug information would help greatly in achieving safe and effective drug therapy meeting the diverse needs of our aging society.
