title: A survey of prescription label preferences among community pharmacy patrons.
abstract: Fifty-five randomly selected community pharmacy patrons were surveyed regarding their preferences between four different prescription labels. The variables displayed on the four labels were: (i) laser printed, (ii) dot-matrix printed, (iii) glossy surface, and (iv) matt surface. The study population was stratified by age and gender. Statistical analysis of the results indicated a clear preference by all groups for the laser printed labels (P less than 0.001), and the only other statistically significant finding was the preference for the matt surface (P less than 0.05) of females between the ages of 16 and 39. The implications for these differences on label readability are discussed, and recommendations are offered for the use of improved laser technology for computer-generated prescription labels.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Welsh School of Pharmacy, University of Wales, Cardiff, U.K.
authors.forename: D K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Luscombe
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Jinks
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Duncan
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D003157:Community Pharmacy Services; D003201:Computers; D004348:Drug Labeling / Q000592:standards*; D011307:Drug Prescriptions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011327:Printing / Q000592:standards*