Back to: How to Read an Insert Training Course

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If you’ve received anything from your healthcare provider when a recommended product is made, it should be this section! The Patient Counseling Information is important information that the healthcare professional should convey to the patient or parent when a counseling decision is taking place (e.g., major risks of the medicine and critical administration instructions). It is typically at the very end of a manufacturer insert and might be printed/handed to you at the pharmacy.

For example, here is a section of the Patient Counseling Information section for Ambien:

If you don’t receive this from your provider, then you might receive the Medication Guide (example below).

Even if you read every word of the manufacturer insert, be sure to read this part too! Although this guide is not exhaustive, it does translate some of the more technical terminology.

There will most likely be more information in the insert like how to supply, store, and handle products, however it’s not applicable to the patient or parent unless you suspect misuse by the healthcare provider.

And that’s it! You just received a general guide on how to read a manufacturer insert. The more you read, the easier it’ll get. Head to the next lesson to learn the difference between prescription and over-the-counter inserts.