What is a requirement for drug packaging related to tamper evidence?

The requirement for tamper-evidence in drug packaging primarily focuses on over-the-counter (OTC) drugs. This is because, as part of regulations aimed at ensuring consumer safety, OTC products are required to have tamper-evident features to prevent unauthorized access and to alert consumers if the packaging has been compromised. Such measures are particularly important for OTC medications, which are sold directly to the public without the direct supervision of a pharmacist, thereby increasing the necessity for clear safety signals.

While some prescription drugs may have tamper-evident packaging as well, it is not mandated universally across all prescription medications or controlled substances in the same way it is for OTC drugs. The emphasis placed on OTC products highlights the importance of consumer safety in self-medication scenarios, reflecting regulatory priorities in ensuring that products available to the general public are less susceptible to tampering.