A Fundamental Study Evaluating Child Resistant Containers for Pharmaceutical Products

- Report on Container-Opening and Impression-Evaluation Experiments Using the New Easy Seal Open Pack (ESOP) Type of Pill Container -

Abstract

Cases of accidental ingestion of pharmaceutical products by children are increasing and have become a serious social concern. In this study, we investigated a new type of soft plastic, child resistant pill container, called ESOP (easy seal open package). We first conducted a container-opening experiment on children aged 12 to 36 months, and were able to identify a relative strength of the container and a point for improvement. Next, using the improved ESOP and an existing PTP (press through package), we performed an impression-evaluation experiment regarding the safety of the respective drug container, in the opinion of guardians with 24- to 36-month-old children. By investigating the guardians’ satisfaction level and degree of ascribed importance, we determined their impression of the safety of the two containers, and conclude that it is necessary to improve the items of which the degree of ascribed importance was high and the satisfaction level low.