Minimun information for sensible use of self-prescribed medicines. An international consensus.

An independent group, mainly clinical pharmacologists and physicians from 16 countries, worked out what they thought was the minimum information needed by the general public for the sensible use of six medicines that are widely self-prescribed (aspirin, paracetamol, ferrous sulphate, aluminium hydroxide, senna, and a multivitamin preparation). For each medicine the information is presented under four headings: nature and purpose of the drug, dosage and administration, unwanted effects, and keeping qualities. The group recommends that this "minimum information" be used as the standard basic information about these drugs for users in all countries. Additional items of information that may be needed in some circumstances are also discussed.