Evaluation of clarity and consistency in dosing directions and measuring devices for pediatric over the counter liquid medications used in United Arab Emirates

The aim of this study was to evaluate the clarity and consistency prevalent in dosing directions and measuring devices used for over the counter (OTC) liquid pediatric medications available in United Arab Emirates (UAE). 130 pediatric oral liquid OTC medications with dosing information for children younger than 12 years were studied. The study specifically focused on issues like the inclusion of a measuring device, child resistance packaging, within product inconsistency between dosing directions on the bottle’s label and dose markings on enclosed measuring device, across-product use of non standard units of measurements and abbreviations, use of numeric text according to the Food and Drug Administration recommendations (FDA) and the presence of  definitions for abbreviations used. Out of 130 preparations studied,  a measuring device was absent only in 16% (21 products, n=130). 31.5% (41 products, n=130) of the preparations studied did not have the child resistant cap.  Dosing directions on the label/leaflet and markings on the measuring device were the same in 53.6% (52 products, n=97) and different in 46% (45 products, n=97) of preparations. Superfluous markings (marking in the dosing device that is not referred to in the product labeled dosage instructions) were present in only 21.5% (23 products, n=107) of the cases. Inconsistent text for units (milliliters) was observed in 41.2% (40 products, n=97) products. Inconsistency in expressing teaspoon and tablespoon (inconsistency in expressing teaspoons as tsps or TSP and tablespoons as tbsp. or TBS) was 18.8% (13 products, n=69) and 28.5% (20 products, n=70), respectively. The use of non standard units, tablespoons and teaspoons needs to be quickly reviewed and prevented in the best interest of pediatric population.  Key words: Over the counter drugs, United Arab Emirates,  pharmaceutical preparations, oral drug administration, self administration.