FPGEE for National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) Practice Exam

What is the primary purpose of the Poison Prevention Packaging Act (PPPA)?

1. To regulate drug pricing in healthcare

2. To decrease accidental poisonings of children

3. To limit the sale of over-the-counter medications

4. To ensure proper labeling on pharmaceuticals

The correct answer is: To decrease accidental poisonings of children

The primary purpose of the Poison Prevention Packaging Act (PPPA) is to decrease accidental poisonings of children. This legislation was enacted to require that certain household substances, including prescription drugs and some over-the-counter medications, be packaged in child-resistant containers. The intent is to prevent young children from being able to easily open these packages, thereby reducing the risk of poisoning due to ingestion of hazardous substances. Child-resistant packaging is designed to be difficult for children under five years of age to open, while still allowing adults to access the contents without too much difficulty. By mandating these safety features, the PPPA has significantly contributed to the decline in the number of accidental poisonings in children, which is a critical concern for public health. In contrast, while drug pricing, the sale limits of over-the-counter medications, and proper labeling are all important aspects of pharmaceutical regulation, they do not directly relate to the primary goal of the PPPA, which focuses specifically on preventing harm to children from ingestion of poisonous substances.