The Yorkshire Post has launched a major campaign to end the toll of deaths caused by badly-labelled medicines.

Make it Clear, Make it Safe, follows the case of 22-year-old Jill Griffiths who died after a GP accidentally gave her an overdose of the drug diamorphine, apparently in a mix-up over near-identical capsules containing vastly different amounts of the drug.

The Post is calling for sweeping changes to be made to the labelling of medicines and the creation of a standard format on all packaging setting out crucial details of drugs that would help doctors read key facts at a glance.

It is supporting guidelines drawn up by the Committee on Safety of Medicines which urges the creation of a standard "number plate" for drug labelling, setting out the drug name, strength and directions for use.

The guidelines also call for a redesign of labels and packaging using colour and design to make medicines more individually identifiable.

A final decision on the proposals by the Government will not be made until next year but the pharmaceutical industry claims changes could cost tens of millions of pounds.