english.prescrire.org > Annual Prescrire Awards > The Prescrire Awards for 2010 > Inseparable box/blister pack/leaflet: an interesting new concept
The Prescrire Awards for 2010

The independent French journal's take on the year's
top Drugs, Packaging and Information

Inseparable box/blister pack/leaflet: an interesting new concept

This design ensures that the patient information leaflet remains on hand  throughout the use of the product, and  that a blister pack containing another drug cannot accidentally be put in the box.
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In 2010, Prescrire’s Packaging Working Group noted that the box, blister  pack and patient information leaflet for  DolipraneLib° paracetamol OTC tablets  (Rev Prescrire n°325) could not be separated. 

This design ensures that the patient  information leaflet remains on hand  throughout the use of the product, and  that a blister pack containing another drug cannot accidentally be put in the box of DolipraneLib° in the family medicine  cabinet. 

Unfortunately, the printing of the product  identifier is systematically spread over 2 blister pockets, each of which  contains one 500-mg tablet, a dose that  often suffices. 

In addition, the information printed on the back of the box does not warn of  the risk of serious liver damage when paracetamol is taken at the same time as large quantities of alcohol.  
This is why Prescrire was unable to  grant the yearly Packaging Award to  this product. 

©Prescrire 1 June 2011

"2010 drug packaging review: identifying problems to prevent errors" Prescrire Int 2011; 20 (117): 162-165. (pdf, free)