On 24th July the RNIB Centre for Accessible information published the results of a telephone survey of 165 braille readers in the UK. The survey found that the implementation of the European Directive and European Standard for braille on pharmaceutical packaging has had a positive impact for consumers, with significant numbers reporting that since the introduction of the standard
- the quality of the braille had improved and
- the braille was on more products.
User views of emergent accessible packaging solutions were also captured, to inform future work.
The key findings of the survey are:
- Most participants reported that they made use of braille labels on medicine packaging (96%), and all participants reported that they found the labels very useful (96%) or quite useful (4%).
- Significantly more braille readers reported that the quality of the braille on medicine packages had improved in the previous two years (42%) compared with braille readers who reported it has got worse (4%).
- This provides evidence that the implementation of the European Standard in relation to braille labels on pharmaceutical packages has had a positive impact for consumers.
- However, there is still evidence that some people have experienced poor quality braille on pharmaceutical packaging, and the most common reported problem with braille on medicines is pharmacists covering the braille with labels.
- Both these points are worthy of action (e.g. alerting professional organisations to bring about change).
- The majority of participants think that a pen-like device for use with talking labels would be a very useful and effective labelling / information solution. This should be in addition to braille labelling.
- Identified advantages of the approach included the greater range and volume of information possible, as well as the ability to include dynamic information (e.g. best before dates).
- Participants provided a range of useful information for those developing this technology.
To read in more detail please download the full report:
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