Tylenol In Capsule Form Essay Example for Free

Tylenol In Capsule Form Essay The capsule is the most popular form of taking medicines as these are easy to swallow. Capsules have a symbolic significance as well as these represent strength. Thus patients perceive a dual advantage of convenience and a psychological boost of taking a potent medicine.   The tamper resistant packing was introduced by Johnson and Johnson in November 1982 within a few months of the initial crisis. This followed standards laid down in regulations by the Food and Drug Administration. The packing was considered very sturdy and difficult to be tampered with. These had glued flaps on the outer box which had to be forcibly opened and a tight plastic seal surrounded the cap inside with an inner foil which wrapped the mouth of the bottle. It also had a label which warned customers not to use if safety seal was broken. Thus at that time perhaps Johnson and Johnson was justified in introducing the capsules in tamper proof packing. This made sound business sense as it implied that only the packing had to be manufactured, while the capsule could be continued in its original form.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   However this decision of the company proved to be short sighted as in 1986, a second incident of tampering of the same drug occurred. While this was immediately controlled, it was evident that capsule was not the safest form for a mass consumed drug as Tylenol as the seals could be apparently opened and refixed after the capsule was tampered with. Finally the company discontinued the sale of the drug in capsule form and the caplet form was introduced.[1] Thus it is felt that in the long run the decision of Johnson and Johnson to market the capsules in tamper proof packing as opposed to developing the caplets was not ethically in order. The company could well have waited to develop the caplet and avoided the ignominy of another blow to its brand which could survive only due to its goodwill with the masses. [1] http://www.jnj.com/contact_us/info_for_students/index.htm#question03