[Patient education responsibility, specialty and administration information from the viewpoint of the pharmaceutical industry].

The provision of detailed information to patients is a complex and multifarious process in which the pharmaceutical industry is only partially involved alongside the physicians and, where appropriate, the pharmacists. The provision of information to patients has three goals: Assuming the patient to be a mature, responsible being, the objective is to create circumstances in which he/she is capable of taking and or participating in decisions concerning his/her health (patient autonomy). The patient should employ medicinal products such that their beneficial characteristics achieve the greatest possible effects and their risks are confined to a minimum (compliance). The physician's data sheet and, in particular, the patient leaflet, are intended to promote the safety of use. This means that not only should the drug risks be kept to a minimum but also the risk of non-use or of inadequate administration should be anticipated. Should risks or damage occur due to incorrect use or even correct use they must be restricted to the minimum possible (minimization of damage).