X-PIL Help
This page answers some of the questions about the X-PIL
service, and how to find information on the web site.
If you cannot find the answer, please do contact us.
How to Search for Information on the X-PIL Web site
There are 3 ways to find patient information leaflets (PILs) on the web site:
1. Quick Search
There is a Quick Search box in the top right hand corner of every page. Type
the name of the medicine in this box. Then either click the Search button or
press Return on your keyboard.
If you are not sure how to spell the name of the medicine, just type in the
first few letters of the name. The search will show all the PILs that start
with these letters. Click on a medicine name to view the PIL.
2. Browse an alphabetical list
You can browse for PILs using an A-Z list. The PILs are listed by brand name
(trade name), and not their generic or chemical name. Click on the Browse
Leaflets button near the top of the page. Then click on the letter that the
medicine name starts with. This will show a list of all PILs available on the
web site that start with that letter. Click on a medicine name to view the PIL.
3. Browse by pharmaceutical company name
You can browse for PILs using an A-Z list of pharmaceutical companies that have
PILs on the web site. Click on the Browse Companies button near the top of the
page. Then click on the letter that the pharmaceutical company name starts
with. This will show a list of all company names which start with that letter
and which have PILs available on the web site.
Click on the company name to see a list of PILs available on the web-site.
Click on a medicine name to view the PIL.
X-PIL Frequently Asked Questions
About PILs, X-PILs and alternative formats
|
What is a PIL?
A PIL is the patient information leaflet. This is the leaflet that is included
in the pack with your medicine.
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The service is called X-PIL. What does X-PIL mean?
An X-PIL is a patient information leaflet in XML (Extensible Mark-up Language)
format. XML is an-industry standard computer file format that allows data to be
shared between systems and displayed in different ways.
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What new formats of PILs are now available?
The patient information leaflet (PIL) supplied in the packs of medicines is now
available in different formats.
The X-PIL web site provides PILs. These can be:
-
viewed in large text
-
viewed using a screen reader
-
printed from the web site.
The RNIB Medicine Information Line (Freephone 0800 198 5000) can send you
PILs in alternative formats:
-
In large/Clear print
-
In Braille
-
On audio CD
You can also listen to a PIL by calling the Information Line.
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About alternative format leaflets |
Does the X-PIL, alternative format PIL and PIL in the pack contain
the same information?
Yes. The X-PIL (on the web site) and the alternative format PILs (from the RNIB)
contain the same information as the PIL in your pack.
But if a PIL has an important image, the image will be replaced by text in X-PIL
and the alternative format PILs. The layout of tables may also change so that
the information can be made available in all the new formats.
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Are alternative format PILs available for all medicines?
No. Pharmaceutical companies only have to provide alternative format PILs for
products launched after 30th October 2005. Pharmaceutical companies have until
2010 to provide alternative format PILs for products launched before 30th
October 2005.
We are currently converting all the standard PILs from the electronic Medicines
Compendium web site, and moving them to the X-PIL web site. If you can't find a PIL
for a product, try searching on the electronic
Medicines Compendium (opens new window).
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How many PILs are currently available on the X-PIL web site?
We are currently converting all the standard PILs from the electronic Medicines
Compendium web site, and moving them to the X-PIL web site. During 2007 about
2,500 will be available on the X-PIL web site.
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Will there be PILs in other formats in the future?
Yes. By the beginning of 2007 PILs can be listened to in audio MP3 format
through the X-PIL web site.
Getting alternative format leaflets |
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What information do I need to give the RNIB Medicine Information Line?
You should give the name of the medicine and the product code number (as called
the licence number). The product licence number will be printed on the medicine
pack (or in some cases on the PIL itself). If the PIL is present on the X-PIL
web site then the product licence number will also be displayed at the top of
the PIL.
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What if I have problems finding the product licence/code number?
You should ask your pharmacist (chemist) to find this number for you, or ask a
sighted person to help.
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How do I know which products and manufacturers have alternative
format PILs available on the X-PIL web site?
An A-Z search function by product and manufacturer is available on the site.
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What if I need an alternative format PIL for a product not
available on the X-PIL web site?
You should call the RNIB Medicine Information Line on 0800 198 5000. The RNIB
will then contact Datapharm Communications and/or the pharmaceutical company. A
'fast-track' priority process is in place, so the RNIB will try to get the
alternative format PIL for you quickly.
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How quickly will I get alternative format PILs from the RNIB
Medicine Information Line?
You should receive the alternative format PIL from the RNIB within 2-3 working
days. However, it will take longer if PILs haven't been supplied by the
pharmaceutical company or if they aren't already included on the X-PIL web
site.
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What if I have technical problems with the RNIB Medicine
Information Line or the X-PIL web site?
At each stage of the automated script on the Medicine Information Line there is
the option to speak to a person.
On the X-PIL web site there is a 'Contact us' option, which includes a telephone
number and email address.
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About Datapharm and the RNIB |
Who are Datapharm Communications Ltd?
Datapharm Communications is a not for profit company whose aim is to improve
public health by providing better health information. Datapharm Communications
has already developed the electronic Medicines Compendium (eMC) (www.medicines.org.uk). Working with the RNIB to deliver patient
information in alternative formats is a logical progression of the eMC.
Datapharm Communications is funded from the sales of services and products
related to medicines information including subscriptions from the
pharmaceutical industry.
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Who are the RNIB?
Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) is the UK's leading charity
offering information, support and advice to over two million people with sight
problems. For more information about the RNIB please visit www.rnib.org
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