‘Transformative possibilities’: E-labels could be the future, FIP report says

Digital tools have transformed how pharmacists work, from e-prescribing to decision support tools and online appointment booking. Is the next area that technology will change e-labelling? E-labels offer the potential to have customized information that can be more accessible, more environmentally friendly and more convenient for patients and pharmacists, a new report from the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) says. Some even include tracking tools and medication reminders for patients. However, shifting to them should be done carefully. “While e-labelling offers transformative possibilities, addressing barriers and ensuring a collaborative, regulated approach is crucial for attaining its full potential in healthcare,” reads the report, which came from an international group of pharmacists who gathered for the FIP World Congress of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences in Australia and discussed the issue of e-labelling. Read: Successful universal pharmacare must address equity in prescription drug accessOne of the best things about e-labels, the group heard, is that they’re more environmentally friendly, as they save the paper, ink and electricity needed to make patient information leaflets (PILs)—and the miles they are shipped. They also have practical advantages: they lower the administrative burden of staffers who manage and dispose of PILs. And, in the long term, they can be cheaper.E-labels also offer a chance to increase access to trustworthy and relevant medical information. They could be customized to meet customers’ needs by having audio versions for people with visual impairments, videos for people with lower literacy levels, or versions in different languages. They’re always available and can’t be misplaced. And e-labels are more likely to offer up-to-date information that includes changes in guidelines, safety information or dosing. Another benefit is that rather than including information for both healthcare providers and patients on the leaflet, e-labels could be made for each group specifically. In an Australian example cited in the report, prescribers had e-labels with more technical information, while packaging the patient has would include an e-label with information written in a more accessible way.However, there are also potential barriers to its implementation. Patients may not be able to access the information in e-labels, which are often through QR codes, barcodes or URLs, because they may not have the Internet or not feel comfortable using them. Missing the information from PILs can then exacerbate existing inequalities, as socioeconomically disadvantaged communities and older people are among those who don’t have internet access or smart devices. Read: CPhA leading new mentorship project to get international pharmacy graduates ready to work in CanadaIn addition, the information itself may be confusing or too complex for patients. They might be scared off by some of the information, such as side effects, and not take their medication. Or they may generally see the switch as inconvenient. Pharmacists should be involved in creating e-labels, helping patients who need them navigate their use, and ensuring they understand the information they need to know. There are also privacy and security concerns that come with e-labelling, as it increases the need for data protection in the platforms that hold patients’ personal information. Other challenges include ensuring that the information in e-labels is comprehensive and understandable to patients and that they meet regulations and laws. Pharmacists also told FIP they worried about the impacts of e-labelling on their positions. Some worried that this may increase their workloads, while others were concerned that these new labels would replace the face-to-face education of patients. Read: Gloves, masks and gowns: Environmental impacts of healthcare part of new study by Dalhousie University researchers

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