Pharmaceutical labels should be changed to ensure the active ingredients are as prominent as the brand names.
This is according to University of Otago pharmacologist associate professor David Reith, who has published a paper in the Medical Journal of Australia on the issue, the Otago Daily Times reports.
He pointed out that many packets of medication feature a very clear brand name, but often only have active ingredients such as paracetamol in small type.
With 40 per cent of people over 70 taking five or more different types of medication, this could lead to misadventure, he warned.
Professor Reith suggested changing pharma labels to read, for example, Paracetamol by Pamol.
"Manufacturers can come to an agreement or just do it," he added.
This comes after University of Chicago professor Mark J Ratain said that some oral cancer drugs can become much stronger if taken with food, something many patients may not appreciate, MedScape.com reported.
Denny Bros Ltd, 20 December 2011
