Dutch patient leaflets can improve, Nefarma says

The Netherlands' research-based pharmaceutical association, the Nefarma, has encouraging the public to participate in an on-line public  consultation organized by the Medicines Evaluation Board (CBG) . A study  of the readability and comprehensibility of patient information  leaflets, which have usually been translated from English suggested that  "relatively simple improvements" would lead to a considerable benefit  for users.

One of the reasons for incomprehensible leaflets, the Nefarma noted, was  that they are often literally translated word for word. The move to  improve PILs is supported by the drug industry, as well as the Ministry  of Health, Welfare and Sport, consumer groups and the CBG. Comments or  submissions can be made to the consultation web site  (www.debegrijpelijkebijsluiter.nl) by the end of  May.