The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 273 No 7310 p149
31 July 2004

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· Shipman inquiry
· Broad spectrum
· Public health
· Violence in pharmacies
· Pharmacy education
· Tablet identification
· Natural therapies
· Nasal sprays
· Dispensing
· The profession
· The Council
· The Society

Letters to the Editor

Tablet identification

Two almost identical tablets

Mr C. I. Toothill, MRPharmS

Purely by chance it has come to my attention that the markings on two white round tablets are identical. Gliclazide 80mg (IVAX) and Ecopace 25mg (Goldshield’s branded generic captopril) both have G 25 on one side and a score line on the reverse. In fact, the only way to tell them apart is by putting them side by side; captopril is marginally deeper. However, without the other for comparison I would defy anyone to identify either without some sophisticated measuring device. The fact that gliclazide is involved could lead to serious consequences. I realise both these preparations are blister packed but in these days of various monitored dose systems they may not always stay so.

Surely there should be a system in place where one manufacturer cannot produce a tablet with an identical appearance to the naked eye, but containing a totally different chemical entity, to one that is already in circulation.

Chris Toothill
Cleckheaton, West Yorkshire

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