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From: digrazia@nacho.DEC
Newsgroups: net.consumers
Subject: Drug capsules
Message-ID: <1370@decwrl.DEC.COM>
Date: Tue, 25-Feb-86 13:32:46 EST
Article-I.D.: decwrl.1370
Posted: Tue Feb 25 13:32:46 1986
Date-Received: Fri, 28-Feb-86 21:39:38 EST
Sender: daemon@decwrl.DEC.COM
Organization: Digital Equipment Corporation
Lines: 39




A while back, some news medium reported that investigators had found
poisoned Tylenol capsules by noticing that the print on the capsules
did not line up between the capsules' two halves, suggesting that
the capsules had been manually opened and reassembled.

So when I noticed one out of twenty of my Keflex capsules with
misaligned print, I decided it was suspect.  No doubt International
Terrorists have struck the pharmaceutical distribution channels in
New Hampshire.  After all, the two halves of the little gelatin
capsule can't turn themselves a quarter-turn, can they?

I phoned Eli Lilly in Indianapolis and had a pleasant conversation
with the expected polite expert, who assured me that there was very
little likelihood of trouble, notwithstanding that he didn't
understand my question.  It's not clear to me just how much
explaining is necessary to convey an understanding that the print
on a drug capsule is not aligned between the capsule's two halves.
Would a photograph or a video tape help?

I figured the capsule was adulteratied with hideous toxins, so I
decided to have the capsule's contents assayed.  I phoned a local
chemical lab (listed in the Yellow Pages).  They were less than
interested.  The voice on the other end of the phone said they
needed to know what they were looking for.

The only course I can think of is to send half of the capsule's
contents to Eli Lilly, and ask them whether it's different from what
it ought to be.  While awaiting their report, I can continue
looking for an independent lab.

Does anyone know where I can find a lab capable of comparing two
samples of a common antibiotic?

Bob D

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