On International Braille Day, Saturday 4 January, the National Council for the Blind of Ireland calls for the introduction of Braille and large print labelling on medicines to be introduced in Ireland in accordance with the proposed EU Directive on a Community Code for Medicines for Human Use (COM (2001) 404-2 2001.0253.COD).

A European study recently found that one in five of the total adult population (21%) rising to three in four (73%) of people with sight problems are potentially at risk because they struggle to read labels and instructions on medicines or letters from their doctor. If the proposed directive is passed it will ensure that basic product information such as name and dosage will be given in Braille and large print on medicine packaging; telephone help lines and web sites will be set up as a source of product information and be available in accessible formats, and internet based information will be on accessible websites.

NCBI has called on Minister Michael Martin to lend his support to this EU directive, overwhelmingly approved by the European Parliament, to ensure that the estimated 550,000 Irish people currently experiencing difficulty accessing vital medical information will be able to read these details, thus avoiding potential accidents for Ireland's vision impaired and elderly population.

Praising the life and work of Louis Braille, Desmond Kenny, Chief Executive of the National Council for the Blind of Ireland said 'There could be no better tribute to the great Louis Braille who gave the gift of reading to so many millions around the globe, than to implement the introduction of Braille on medicine labels along with large print information and other accessible formats. We are confident that with the support of Minister Martin, we will soon see the widespread introduction of Braille labelling on medicines in Ireland.'