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A pioneering initiative aimed at reducing the risk of medicine overdose amongst the blue collared workforce in Dubai will be launched by the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) in the near future.
The initiative addresses the issue of illiteracy and language barriers that can lead to blue-collar workers not being sure of their medication dosage and therefore risking an overdose.
The pilot project will be launched soon and will involve the DHA working with a range of pharmacies and government hospitals in the first phase, before planning to introduce it across the nation.
There are currently 75,000 blue collar workers employed in Dubai, with a vast majority of these coming from rural areas from around the region and also from the Asian sub-continent covering India, Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh.
While all workers are provided with healthcare benefits in Dubai, there is no prescription system developed for those who have trouble reading or understanding a different language. Therefore, medications have traditionally been consumed based on what was informed verbally or through handwritten indications.
The solution to the issue has come in the form of a simple pictorial prescription sticker, which pharmacies and government hospitals have been encouraged to place on their medication packaging. Called “RX Prescription Stickers” they clearly indicate through very clear images all the key instructions including the frequency and time of consumption as well as the duration of the course.
The use of common and basic symbols has been utilized to ensure fool-proof comprehension by the patient.
Several key pharmacies frequented by blue-collared workers will be part of the pilot project and their feedback, response and effectiveness will be monitored over a two-month period. The aim is to accommodate revision before the unique system becomes a mandate throughout Dubai. It will be used at 247 registered pharmacies and government hospitals across the Emirate.
Dr Ali Al Sayed, Director of the Pharmaceutical Services Department at the DHA said: “The risk of overdose amongst people who can’t read or understand an alien language has been high, so we are delighted to be introducing this solution, which is very simple but highly effective. We believe that it will be a success because the sticker system is quick and easy to use so pharmacies and dispensing hospital departments are expected to welcome this new system .
Patients can now be reassured that they are taking the right dosage, at the right time and for the correct period.
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