Risk of latex allergy from medication vial closures.
A latex allergy, like all allergies, is a serious matter that requires special precautions on behalf of patients and healthcare workers. The FDA final rule on the labeling of natural rubber-containing medical devices will assist in the creation of a latex-safe environment for latex-sensitive individuals. Currently, this ruling does not apply to medication vial closures that contain latex. Until further action by the FDA, the only way to determine whether a medication vial closure contains latex is by directly contacting the pharmaceutical manufacturer. Moreover, in order to rule whether special labeling should be mandatory for latex-containing medication vials, additional evidence is needed to clarify whether exposure to trace amounts of latex from a medication vial stopper can cause allergic reactions in individuals who are sensitive to latex.
Smith
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Clinical Pharmacy Programs, Health Services Corporation of America, St. Louis, MO 63044, USA. csmith@hsca.com
D004349:Drug Packaging; D006801:Humans; D020315:Latex Hypersensitivity; D012306:Risk