An Asian perspective on drug and related health care information.

To ensure that drugs are available in adequate quantity and quality for the health needs of the population and properly used, Asian governments in the past decades have exercised their sovereign rights quite independently and differently. A high number of patients per prescribing physician has consequences for drug information, in regard to both prescribers and consumers needing to self-medicate. To reliably inform patients through physicians, pharmacists, or medical auxiliary personnel is of great importance in the face of an illiteracy problem. Self- medication and illiteracy place emphasis on communication by word of mouth or by pictures. Word of mouth is the most important route, because even with a steady increase in literacy, the increase in transistor radios has been even more pronounced. For specific health information, instructional posters, with emphasis on pictures, have been very effective. Billboards do not allow adequate information disclosure needed for drugs. The opportunity to expand the coverage of consumer drug information, in that labelling for consumers gives additional relevant general health information, seems appropriate.