Yet only just over half the pharmacies generate computer information for patients. We would like that number to increase substantially. FDA also would like better quality information. Some people think risk information will scare patients, and they won't take their medicines properly. That isn't true.
Studies show patients can handle it and, in fact, want the information.
McGinnis says FDA wants pharmacists to dispense more comprehensive information about the medicine. Many handouts he and colleagues studied had only a few bullets of information or a simple paragraph. And if you wanted dosing information, you'd always look at the lower left. In addition to generating patient information, pharmacists can use computers to maintain profiles on their patients. Profiles may include patient information such as chronic conditions, medicines dispensed, allergies, and adverse reactions.