P255 CJEFA( 255 Mon 3 Nov 21:23/43 1/3 Q CALL FOR PLAIN ENGLISH LABELS The National Health Service could save millions of pounds a year if labels on prescriptions were written better, it has been claimed. The Plain English Campaign estimates that £300 million could bj saved if labels are written in plain English. At its exhibition "Clarity of Medical Information" the campaign said that some patients make mistakes when taking drugs bjcausj they do not understand the instructions given. MoreP255 CEEFAX 255 Mon 3 Nov 21:25/14 2/3 CALL FOR PLAIN ENGLISH LABELS A survey into the language used on medicine labels has been carried out bz the Plain English Campaign. Data collected jrom 300 patients in London and Leeds shows that two-thirds prefer drug labels to bj written in simple language, says the campaign. The number of mistakes made were reduced bz fifteen per cent when instructions were written in "plain English" rather than "traditional" wording, according to the survey. MoreP255 CEEFAX 255 Mon 3 Nov 21:38/57 3/3 CALL FOR DRUG WARNING SYMBOL Drugs which have a harmful effect on drivers should have a clearly marked symbol, says the SAC. A written warning is inadequate and does not attract enough attention, according to the drivers' organisation. It is calling on the Govjrnmjnt to support a proposal for a warning symbol bz the Federation Internationale L'Automobile, which represents motoring organjsbtions in 93 countries. More