Abstract

Both Prescription and OTC (over-the-counter) medications in South Africa are issued with a medication insert in the package. Due to, amongst other factors, a very diverse socio-economic profile, many people rely on self-medication. Through quantitative and qualitative research it was established that there are communication barriers in the PPIs used in South African medication packages, resulting in inaccessibility of the medication information. Identified barriers include, amongst others, certain PPI aspects, information presentation and language aspects. This research therefore included both text and reader variables in determining the type and nature of the barriers. Suggested changes to these essential documents include a rethink of the design and changes to information and language usage in order to create a cultural competent new document that communicates clearly and informatively. This is the only way that this health communication tool will fulfil its role as useful information channel, accessible to all patients/medication users in a developing country.