UK Edition: Reading Medicine Labels: Packs, Leaflets and Pharmacy Labels, SEND, KS4 and Post-16

A functional reading set for KS4 and post 16 SEND learners on UK medicine information: a medicine pack with a dosage table, part of a patient information leaflet, and a pharmacy dispensing label, plus a clear "where to get help" panel for the pharmacist, NHS 111 and 999. Medicines are called Medicine A, B and C, and every dose, strength and frequency is left blank, shown as ***, for the adult to fill in from the real pharmacy label.

Why I made this

The first time many young people take medicine on their own is at college or a first job, with nobody standing over them. The information is all there on the box, the leaflet inside and the pharmacy label, but it is small print and easy to skim. This set teaches learners where to find four things every time: how much, how often, the most in 24 hours, and when to stop and ask.

What's included

• Teacher page with a short note on the UK details

• Words to know: 10 key words with pictures (dose, mg, tablet, capsule, 24 hours, patient information leaflet, pharmacist, prescription, course, expiry date)

• 3 practice documents: a medicine pack, a leaflet extract, and a pharmacy label with a where to get help panel

• 12 Level A questions with pictures and three choices

• The same 12 questions at Level B, with open answers and room to show working

• A real life task: fill in a first day medicine plan with an adult from a real label, then role play asking a pharmacist a question

• Answer key that shows where to find every answer

Two levels, same questions

Level A suits learners who need visual support and choices. Level B suits learners ready to write and show working. Because the questions match, the whole group can work from the same documents and go through the answers together.

How I use it

Teach the four questions first and keep them on the board: how much, how often, the most in 24 hours, when to ask. Learners practise finding where each answer is on the label. Use it alongside your setting's medicines policy and never use real medicines in the lesson.

Who it is for

KS4, sixth form, FE college and post 16 SEND groups, learners on SEN Support, and supported internship or independent living programmes.

Please note

Doses are left blank (shown as ***) for the adult to fill in from the real pharmacy label. This is a reading lesson, not medical advice: always follow the pharmacist or GP.

What you download: one printable PDF, A4, answer key included. Licence: single teacher or setting.

Written by Jeremy D. Gooch, a teacher with 20+ years in education. Part of the Functional Life Skills UK series from The Transition Cliff.