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Drugs packaging: still too much evidence
of poor quality in 2005

There has been no overall progress in the field of packaging, even though it is a vital factor for the correct use of drugs.

Prescrire examined some 468 drugs packages in 2005. The worrying results betray the lack of interest in packaging on the part of the drugs regulatory agency and the pharmaceutical industry, even though good packaging is crucial in ensuring the correct use of drugs. In 2005, no overall developments in packaging were evident. All too frequently, the International Nonproprietary Name (INN) is overshadowed by the brand name or the name of the manufacturer. The different drugs, or different dosages of the same drug from the same company, are often too similar, which is liable to cause confusion. The containers in direct contact with the drugs (blister packs, vials) are often poorly labelled. Bulk bottles of dangerous medicines are still sold without a childproof closure, exposing children to a risk of acute intoxication. Three quarters of drinkable medicines do not come with a suitable delivery device. Often, a syringe is not supplied with injectable drugs. Most patient leaflets seem uninformative and inappropriate for patients. And yet it is possible to create high-quality packaging. In 2005, Prescrire gave 3 awards for well-designed packaging, in contrast to 1 Yellow Card for packaging that was confusing and 4 Red Cards for unacceptable packaging.

©Prescrire February 2006

Source: "Le palmarès 2005 du conditionnement" Rev Prescrire 2006 ; 26 (269) : 86.

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