To address the issue of literacy and to curtail the risk of an overdose, a simple pictorial prescription sticker was devised. It clearly indicated all the key elements that were required. From the number of tablets or the amount of syrup, the frequency and time of consumption and the duration of the prescribed medication course were all illustrated on a sticker which were pasted by the pharmacist on the medication packaging. Common and basic symbols were utilised to ensure comprehension was absolute.

Dubai has a blue-collared workforce totalling close to 750,000. Most of them come from rural areas from around the region and from the Asian sub-continent which covers India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. Besides being mostly illiterate, these workers also converse only in their native language. Interaction with other residents a generally through hand gestures and guessing.

While all workers are provided with healthcare benefits, there is no prescription system developed for those who are illiterate. Therefore, medications are consumed based on what was informed verbally or through handwritten indications besides the redundant printed labels.

• 100% comprehension and ease of use by pharmacists

• 97% comprehension by illiterate blue-collared workers

• 0 reported cases of medication overdose in Dubai

• Introduced to 247 registered pharmacies and government hospitals across Dubai