Specially-designed pharmaceutical labels for older people could be a good idea after an expert raised concerns that this demographic could be at risk of not taking drugs correctly.

Dr Valerie Fishbeck, a clinical pharmacy specialist, told the Dearborn Press and Guide that senior citizens often have multiple ailments and need to take several prescriptions.

"It's particularly important that they take both prescription and over-the-counter drugs correctly. Doing otherwise can have serious health ramifications," she commented.

Dr Fishbeck said it is essential for people to know what they are taking and why, adding that the name, storage guidance and other information should be clearly visible.

Medicine manufacturers could consider using peelable labels with large print to lessen the likelihood of older people taking the wrong drugs by mistake.

This comes after a study at the VA Medical Centre in the US discovered consumers may be confused about the results of drug trials and suggested that simply-worded cautions should be added to pharmaceutical labels.

Denny Bros Ltd , 26 September 2011