Evaluation of general physician's knowledge on standard medication labelling requirement in private clinic in Klang Valley

Labelling of medication is important in providing all necessary information for patient in order to use dispensed drug properly and it is one of the vital steps involved in drug dispensing process. Under the Medicine Act 1991, the physicians are authorized to prescribe, dispense, sell or compound a drug. Physician must acquire the knowledge and skills required to deliver the medication and comprehend the important steps in the medication dispensing. This research project aimed to evaluate the knowledge of general physician on standard medication labelling requirement as well as to determine the extent of their knowledge. Our objective is also to assess the awareness of general physicians on the importance of dispensed medication label in improving safe use of medication among patient and also to investigate the factors that influence the awareness of the general physicians on the importance of the dispensed medication labelling. The cross-sectional study was conducted in private clinics in Klang Valley from March to May 2016. The sample size was 30 private clinics and the research tool was carried out using validated questionnaire. Independent t-test was performed to compare the mean knowledge score of physician on medication labelling among independent variables such as working experience. P-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Chi-square test was used to compare the awareness of the general physicians on the awareness of the importance of the medication labelling and factors that influences the awareness with independent variables such as working experience. The majority of participants were males (63.3%), while 36.7% of participants are females. The mean years of their working experience is 15.53 years varying from 2 to 30 years of working experience as general physician in private clinic. The mean knowledge score of the general physicians on the standard medication labelling requirement was 9.57 ± 1.675. Meanwhile, the mean knowledge score of the general physician on the pre-packed medication labelling and antibiotic medication labelling were 5.43 ± 1.569 and 9.87 ± 1.889, respectively. The independent t-test showed that there were no significant differences on mean knowledge score between those who have worked less than 15 years and those who worked more 15 years. Twenty-three participants (76.7%) strongly believed that inappropriate labelling could lead to medication error and labelling of medication is one of most important practice that ensure the patient safety and patient care. However, one of participant (3.3%) disagreed that medication labelling is one of the most important practice to ensure the patient safety and patient care. Chi-square test shows that there are no significant differences between different years of working experiences. In conclusion, the knowledge score of the general physician on standard medication labelling requirement is moderate. They need to equip themselves with more knowledge and skills on medication labeling.