c. The law does not require that the packaging be so difficult to open that all
children are prevented from gaining access to the contents. If this were true, very few
adults could open the packaging. Therefore, the packaging seen in the pharmacy is a
compromise--it must be too difficult for most children to open and it must be easy
enough for most adults to open.
2-15. EXCEPTIONS TO THE ACT
Some patients (for example, those with arthritis) may find child-resistant
packaging too difficult to open. Furthermore, some patients (for example, those with
certain types of heart conditions) may wish to obtain their medications in a hurry when
they need them. For these types of patients, alternatives to child-resistant packaging
are available.
a. Nitroglycerin Must NOT be Dispensed in Child-Resistant Packaging.
This drug is for patients who have certain types of heart conditions. These patients
must obtain their nitroglycerin quickly in the event they need it.
b. Alternative Packaging. For over-the-counter medications, the manufacturer
can market one size of a product in conventional packaging, if the same product is also
available in child-resistant packaging. However, the conventional packaging must have
a label that clearly states:
(1)
This package for households without young children or if the package is
small:
(2)
Package not child-resistant
c. Patient or Physician Request. The prescribing physician or patient may
request that prescription medicines be put into ordinary packaging without safety
features. Although some pharmacists may ask for a written statement from a patient
before providing a conventional closure, this is not a requirement of the Federal law.
2-16. CONSIDERATIONS FOR THE OUTPATIENT PHARMACY
Child-resistant packaging has been around for quite some time. If you have
received a prescription item or if you have purchased some of the items that require this
type of packaging, you are already familiar with the advantages and disadvantages of
child-resistant packaging. In your position in the pharmacy, you may encounter
comments about the packaging. Some considerations about the Act are pertinent for
you.
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