english.prescrire.org > Spotlight > Archives : 2014 > Prescrire announces its Drug Packaging Awards for 2013: three winners, but many dangerous flaws as well

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Prescrire announces its Drug Packaging Awards for 2013: three winners, but many dangerous flaws as well

The independent French medical journal Prescrire announced its annual awards in Paris on 30 January. Three winners for the Packaging Award demonstrate that quality drug packaging is indeed within reach for pharmaceutical companies. But a flurry of "Yellow Cards" and "Red Cards" point to a multitude of dangers from poor packaging and incomplete leaflets.

In the course of reviewing new drugs, or in reporting on changes in existing drugs, Prescrire methodically examines drug packaging, carrying out around 150-250 such analyses every year. That allows Prescrire's editors to single out quality packaging, and also to detect packaging that can give rise to confusion or even danger. All aspects of the packaging are examined: the labelling of the boxes, blister packs, bottles, syringes, etc; any devices supplied in the box for the preparation or administration of the drugs; safety features such as caps; as well as the informational value of the leaflets as regards directions for use, adverse effects, etc.

For 2013, three Packaging Awards were given out as part of the annual Prescrire Awards, the first time this has happened since 2008. This goes to show yet again that pharmaceutical companies can indeed achieve quality drug packaging.

But the amount of problematic or even hazardous drug packaging is very worrying, and was again on the increase in 2013, with 33 drugs receiving a "Yellow Card" (6) or a "Red Card" (27) for drug packaging from Prescrire's editors.

The worries mainly centre upon patients that are particularly vulnerable to adverse effects, especially children and pregnant women. There are also problems linked to self-medication (with so-called "umbrella brands"), dosing devices for liquid medications, and injectable drugs.

©Prescrire 1 February 2014

"The 2013 Prescrire Awards" Prescrire Int 2014; 23 (147): 79-83. Pdf, free
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The Prescrire Packaging
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(February 2014)
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