Medicines to have Braille labels

Labels on medicines will soon have to be provided in Braille under a EU directive, it emerged today.

From the end of October, it will be compulsory to have instructions in Braille on new pharmaceutical products for humans, the National Council for the Blind of Ireland (NCBI) said.

According to the NCBI, three quarters (73%) of people with sight problems are potentially at risk because they struggle to read labels and instructions on medicines or letters from their doctor.

But under the EU directive, manufacturers will have to provide labelling in Braille to assist people with visual impairment.

Des Kenny, Chief Executive of NCBI, said: “We have long been campaigning with our sister agencies throughout Europe for the introduction of Braille and large print labelling on medicine labels, not merely as an equality issue but also as one which effects the health and safety of people with vision impairments.

“While this is a significant step towards making information on pharmaceutical products accessible, there is more that needs to be done regarding the introduction of large print, telephone help lines and websites containing product information.

“We will continue to lobby for these improvements,” Mr Kenny said.