Abstract
BACKGROUND: The inclusion of a patient information leaflet (PIL) in medicine packaging is a legal requirement in most countries. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility of using quick response (QR) codes for electronic patient information leaflet (ePIL) delivery. METHOD: A mixed-method study based on surveys was conducted at the Tshwane District Hospital in South Africa. The demographics, ability and willingness of patients (330) and pharmacy staff (16) to scan a QR code for a commonly prescribed medicine was captured. A focus group study among 18 regulatory affairs pharmacists gauged their perception of ease of implementation of QR codes. RESULTS: Of the 330 patients, most were 26-55 years of age (67 %) and 70 % were female. Irrespective of patient age and gender, >80 % were willing/ able to scan the QR code and preferred the ePIL (35 %) or ePIL with a hardcopy (45 %). Patients (>96 %) found it easy to read the ePIL (C = 0.487, p < 0.001) and locate the information sought (C = 0.521, p < 0.001). This sentiment was shared by dispensing pharmacy staff: easier to read (C = 0.746, p < 0.05) and locate information (C = 0.630, p < 0.05), with 69 % preferring either the ePIL or ePIL with a hardcopy. All the regulatory affairs pharmacists preferred the ePIL and indicated that it was easy to create a QR code for ePILs. CONCLUSION: Patients, dispensing pharmacy staff, and regulatory affairs pharmacists are willing to transition to ePILs. This makes going green and updating information in real time possible.