Drug information from the drug regulatory authorities to the general public

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the activities of the National Competent Authorities (NCAs) in Europe regarding their distribution of drug information to the general public, in particular via the Internet. An electronic questionnaire was sent to all Heads of Medicines Agencies (HMAs) in the European Union and Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein concerning their provision of drug information to the general public during the previous 12 months. The focus was on the availability of basic drug information, Summaries of Product Characteristics (SPCs) and/or Patient Information Leaflets (PILs), on the Internet. Twenty-four replies out of 28 were received. Where there was no response from the NCA, the website was searched by the researcher. In November 2005, 17 NCAs published SPCs on their websites, while ten NCAs did not. PILs were found on the websites of 12 NCAs, but 15 NCAs did not have PILs on their websites. Four NCAs had a special drug information section for consumers on their website. Other activities included publishing magazines or newspapers (8 countries), leaflets (7 countries), organising campaigns (7 countries) and publication of press releases and/or reports (4 countries), books on medicines (3 countries), publication in magazines (1 country) and a list of registered medicines (1 country). Our results show, that NCAs do produce and distribute drug information. Since almost half of the population of the European Union has access to the Internet, the existence of valid drug information available also on the Internet is essential.