Page 24 - A Guide to Dosage Form 1

Powder Wrapped in powder papers and Store in a dry place 3 months
packed in a cardboard carton Dissolve/Mix with water
before taking
(Depending on active
ingredients)
Suppository Wrapped in foil and packed in For rectal use only 3 months
amber glass jar Store in cool dry place
(Depending on active
ingredients)
(From Langley and Belcher 2007. Pharmaceutical Compounding and Dispensing, Pharmaceutical Press) CRC:
Child Resistant Closure

Labelling requirements
Labelling is an important way to communicate with patients. Thus, it needs to be clear, concise and
adequate. Patients are unlikely to remember all the information given during dispensing and the label
will act as a permanent reminder to the patients.

- The label need to be placed at the correct position, need to be clean and secure.
- The information on the label needs to be legible, concise, adequate, easily understandable
and accurate
According to Poison Act 1952, the requirement for the label of a dispensed medication are:

- Name, address and contact number of the pharmacy/clinic
- Name of the patient, in full.
- Name of the medicine (generic and/or trade name) and its strength
- Direction for use: Dose, frequency, duration
- Date of supply
- Date of expiry
- Any auxiliary/warning labels
- External products should be label in red with the words “For External Use Only” or Not to be
Taken”
Simple language should always be use.

- Only use the word “Take” for preparation intended for oral administration
- Use the word “Give” as a dosage instruction on products for children, because adults are
usually responsible to administer them
- Only use numerals/numbers when quoting the number of mL to be given. Other instructions
are preferably in words