Problems for Rheumatic Patients in Opening Dispensed Drug Containers

The ability of 50 rheumatoid arthritis patients with hand involvement and 50 normal control subjects to open a range of reclosable tablet containers and unit dose packs was tested. Child-resistant containers, particularly the clic-loc type, proved the most difficult for patients and control subjects to open. Smaller containers were less easy to open than comparable ones of a larger size. Only 54% patients were able to remove a suppository from its wrapping. Blister packs and conventional screw-capped tablet bottles were easiest to open. Dispensing of drugs for rheumatic patients in child-resistant containers should be limited to those without hand involvement.