Why your medications need better labeling

Vegan medicine, rather, animal-free medicine, needs better labeling to reduce ambiguity and get consumers exactly what they need.

Vegan and vegetarian patients may unknowingly be taking medications containing animal ingredients, warn researchers from Imperial College London

For vegans and vegetarians, food labeling has improved considerably over the last few years. This has made it easier to follow a vegan or vegetarian diet. For most, however, it remains unclear what exactly is inside their medications.

Through research published in the British Medical Journal, Dr Kinesh Patel and Dr Kate Tatham of the Department of Surgery and Cancer at Imperial College London, identified that most medications prescribed in primary care contain animal-derived ingredients. They call for improved labeling, like that on food, to help inform doctors, pharmacists and patients about the content of medicines.

At Pill Clarity, formerly known as VeganMed, we strive to address the labeling confusion and make determining what's inside your medications simple and transparent. We aim to do this through a comprehensive medication search tool for patients and medical professionals, as well as the first Pharmacist-backed certification program. Learn more about our team on our Meet Our Experts page. We want to know how to help you best, so please Contact Us with any questions or requests you may have!

We hope that one day it is as easy for individuals to understand the contents of their medications as it is their food products.

Disclaimer: The product and/or information provided on Pill Clarity is of a general nature and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. We do not lab test the products to confirm that they are free from animal ingredients, and it is possible that the formulation and ingredients could have changed. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or product. The information provided in this post is accurate and up to date as of the date it was written. However, please note that circumstances and facts may change over time, and new information may become available that could alter the accuracy or relevance of the content. We encourage readers to verify and cross-reference any information provided here with trusted sources or consult relevant professionals for the most current and accurate updates.

Transparent medical information is a fundamental human right—your support helps keep this vital service alive.

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Thank you for your awareness and concern for animal-derived ingredients!

As a reminder, please comment on our FDA Citizen Petition, requesting clear labeling of animal-derived ingredients in medications. Together, we can make a difference. If you have any further questions about ingredients in your medicines and supplements, feel free to reach out to the Pill Clarity team!