OLDER ADULT PREFERENCES FOR THE FORMAT AND CONTENT OF PRESCRIPTION MEDICATION LABELS

Abstract The risk of misinterpreting prescription medicine labels (PMLs) is higher among older adults. Given the limited space on PMLs, their format and content should cater to adults’ medication information legibility needs. We established ranking seven medication-related variables (indication, precautions, interaction or paired medicines, food instructions, side effects, expiry date, missed dose action; provision these currently not legally mandated) be prioritised PMLs using best-worst scaling (BWS), determined relative utilities five attributes (presentation dose-frequency font size, presentation dose, colour precautions) when incorporated onto discrete choice experiment (DCE), from perspective Singaporeans. were informed by our prior qualitative study best practices guidelines for PMLs. recruited 280 adults (mean age: 68.8±5.4 years). A BWS object case was used evaluate importance (range: 0 1). mixed logit model estimated attribute levels, which enabled calculation scores 0% 100%). three most-preferred indication (1.000), precautions (0.853) medicines (0.845). top preferences tabular instructions (43.7%), large size (22.3%) in red (13.6%). findings inform an actionable way improve real-world, aligned with stated priorities