The new standards call for a more patient-centric organisation of the information on labels to clearer instructions on correct use and purpose of the medication with terms like “for high blood pressure” replacing “hypertension.”

The USP also advocates limiting the amount of auxillary information, such as for example pharmacy name and number, which is included on additional labels that, it believes, can potentially be a distraction for patients.

USP CEO Roger Williams explained that reforms to the US healthcare system and the likely influx of new patients were an important driver for the development of the proposed standards.

“As more patients enter the healthcare system, and as the nation becomes increasingly diverse, more patients will have difficulty understanding and using important healthcare information provided to them.”

Dr Williams went on to explain “Many studies have shown that patient misunderstanding is widespread, and lack of standards is a cause of this problem. These new standards were designed with the patient in mind, to bring clarity and consistency to the prescription labels they rely upon.”