What is the format for pharmaceutical labeling?

Industry regulation means that when it comes to creating a pharmaceutical label for a new entrant to the market, it must be designed in line with certain standards to ensure the necessary information is clearly visible and easy to interpret.

Although a pharmaceutical label doesn’t tend to have a large surface area, there are various pieces of information that must be present in order to become FDA-compliant. Both medical professionals and patients should have instant access to the information they need so the pharmaceutical label will become a go-to source. In general, the format of a pharmaceutical label is as follows:

  • Nature of the product
    At first glance, it should be immediately obvious what the drug in question is and what medical condition or symptoms it is designed to help with. This information should be at the forefront of the packaging design and should be informative yet not promotional, ensuring patients are using the correct product or that medical workers are providing the correct medication.
  • Ingredient list
    Normally stated on the reverse of the packaging at the top of the label, an ingredient list should state every active and inactive ingredient used to make the product. This information is a legal requirement so patients can see exactly what is going into their bodies and whether any allergies would be impacted.
  • Directions for use
    Instructions should be clear, concise, and easy to follow for all patients to avoid accidental drug misuse. The directions should guide them on when to take the medication, how to measure the correct dose, and any additional directions such as taking the medication on a full stomach after a meal.
  • Warnings and risks
    It is another legal requirement to include associated warnings, disclosing any potential side effects which may occur upon the usage of the drug. Other warnings may include exemptions, such as pregnancy, and directions of when the medication should be stopped following unexpected side effects.
  • Storage information
    In many cases, drugs can be extremely sensitive to their surroundings and may be impacted by external factors such as heat, moisture, or sunlight. If this is the case, storage guidelines should state how to store the product in order to keep it in usable condition.
 

View all Pharmaceutical Labeling Q&A

 

Free Samples

Get samples of our most popular products so you can see the quality before you buy.

 
Other FREE Resources:

Helpful Resources