What type of drugs are primarily affected by childproof packaging requirements?

Childproof packaging requirements primarily target the protection of children from accidental ingestion of potentially harmful substances. The primary aim of these regulations is to minimize the risk of poisonings among young children who may mistake medications for candy or other non-harmful items.

Most drugs dispensed in a pharmacy are required to be packaged in child-resistant containers unless a prescriber specifies otherwise or the patient requests a non-child-resistant option. This encompasses a wide range of medications, including prescription drugs that may have serious side effects if ingested by children.

The rationale behind this requirement is grounded in public health policy - many prescription medications and some over-the-counter drugs can pose serious health risks to children. The standards for child-resistant packaging are set by the Poison Prevention Packaging Act, which requires that packaging be designed to be significantly difficult for children under five years old to open, while still remaining accessible for adults.

Over-the-counter medications do have specific packaging requirements, but they are part of a broader category. Not all medications fit into this category, particularly in the context of pharmacy dispensation practices. Therefore, while over-the-counter medications are certainly included in childproof regulations, the broader category of "most drugs dispensed in a pharmacy" encompasses a wider variety of medications, including prescriptions which may