Abstract
Since many children continue to be poisoned each year from drugs taken inadvertently, the CMA recommends that prescription and nonprescription drugs that are hazardous to children be marketed in child-resistant packages. Government authorities are also urged to develop regulations that standardize the packaging of such drugs and all other products containing substances that are toxic to children. The CMA suggests that regular closures for drug packages be available to elderly or disabled people who may have difficulty opening the package. When prescribing drugs in such cases physicians should indicate that a child-resistant package is not needed.