Cautionary and Advisory Labels

Introduction

A cautionary and advisory label is a label added on to a dispensed medication package by a pharmacist in addition to the usual prescription.

• These labels are intended to provide supplementary information or as a continual reminder regarding safe administration, use and storage of the medication.
• It does not replace verbal counselling from a pharmacist.

Australia

Cautionary advisory labels (CALs) used in Australia have been approved by the Australian Pharmaceutical Formulary and Handbook Editorial Board.

• The design and specifications of the CALs are based on advice and information from Vision Australia.
• The explanatory notes for each CALs and medicines requiring CALs can be found at Australian Pharmaceutical Formulary and Handbook.

United Kingdom

In UK, a revised set of cautionary and advisory labels for dispensed medicines was published in British National Formulary from year 2011 so that wordings on labels are simple and straightforward.

• The explanatory notes for the cautionary and advisory labels can be found at Appendix 3 of the British National Formulary.
• The recommended cautionary and advisory labels for each drug monograph in British National Formulary (if any) can be found at the section of Medicinal Forms.

External Links

• Improving Prescription Drug Warnings to Promote Patient Comprehension, 2010
  
• Low Literacy Impairs Comprehension of Prescription Drug Warning Labels, 2006
• Updating the Label, 2020