A new British standard

Wednesday, December 4, 2002

A new British standard for child-resistant packaging in medicines containing aspirin, paracetamol and iron is to be introduced by the Government. Health minister Lord Hunt said the new standard would cover non-reclosable containers, such as blister or strip packs, which the Medicines Control Agency plans to incorporate into UK law. Reclosable containers, such as bottles, are already covered by a British Standard. During a visit to Great Ormond Street Hospital in London, Lord Hunt said, 'While the first line of defence must always be to keep medicines out of the sight and reach of children, child-resistant packaging represents an important additional safeguard.' He pointed out that while iron was a key component in a healthy diet, as few as six iron tablets could kill a toddler or cause delayed life-threatening injuries.