asked the Minister for Health if he has received a report from the National Drugs Advisory Board in conjunction with the Pharmaceutical, Chemical and Allied Industries Association regarding the feasibility of providing child-resistant closures or caps on containers for medicines, including aspirin.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Medicine Container Caps.
1.
I have not received any such report. I am, however, aware that the National Drugs Advisory Board are keeping in close touch with developments in regard to the feasibility of providing child resistant closures or caps for medicines. The board maintain regular contact with the Pharmaceutical and Allied Industries Association in this and in other aspects of their endeavours to ensure the safety of medicines particularly those intended for the treatment of children.
I am, I might say, aware that there is some reserve in informed circles about the possibility of providing closure or caps which in the true sense of the words are child resistant. Consumer research elsewhere has shown that they are not a practicable proposition but developments in the field will continue to be observed closely.
In the last analysis the best way to ensure that children do not take medicines unsupervised is to keep them out of their reach.