BUYING MEDICINE?
STOP! LOOK! LOOK AGAIN!

(NOTE: This publication was produced by the: U.S. Food and Drug
Administration - For a free copy, send your name and address to:
Consumer Information Center - Dept. 540Z - Pueblo, CO 81009)

HELP PROTECT YOURSELF AGAINST TAMPERING

BEFORE YOU BUY IT TAKE A LOOK; BEFORE YOU TAKE IT LOOK AGAIN.
     U.S. nonprescription, over-the-counter (OTC) medicines are
among the most safely packaged consumer products in the world.
Most by law are sealed in tamper evident packaging for your
protection. But manufacturers cannot make a tamper proof package.
They can only make the safest package that technology allows. The
rest is up to you.
 
YOU CAN HELP PROTECT YOURSELF

Here's how:

* Read the label. OTC medicines with tamper-evident packages tell
you on the label what seals and other features you should look
for.

* Inspect the outer packaging. Look before you buy it!

* Inspect the medicine itself when you open the package. Look
again before you take it! If it looks suspicious, be suspicious.

* Look especially for capsules or tablets that are different in
anyway from others in the package.

* Don't use any medicine from a package that shows cuts, slices,
tears or other imperfections.

* Never take medicines in the dark.

* Read the label and look at the medicine every time you take a
dose.  

IF IN DOUBT TELL SOMEBODY
     Not every change in the appearance or condition of a product
means that it has been tampered with. But if there is any
question in your mind, don't buy it, don't use it and don't leave
it at that. Tell somebody who can do something about it!
     Whenever you suspect anything wrong with a medicine or its
packaging, take it back to the store. If there is a real problem,
the manager will report it to the proper authorities.
 
REMEMBER
     No one can prevent tampering. What tamper-evident packaging
does is try to provide evidence of tampering that you can see if
you look.   What you can do is pay attention to the safety
features that the manufacturer has provided. With a little time,
a little care and your own good sense you can be the best safety
feature of all.

Produced in cooperation with

U.S. Food and Drug Administration

NONPRESCRIPTION DRUG MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION
1150 CONNECTICUT AVENUE N.W.
WASHINGTON, D.C.20036
Tel: (202) 429-9260
Fax: (202) 223-6835