FDA Medical Bulletin * June 1996 * Volume 26 Number 2

POSTER ON PREVENTING
IRON POISONING
AVAILABLE

FDA is making available free copies of a poster warning parents about the dangers of accidental iron overdose--the leading cause of poisoning deaths in children under 6.

Despite child-resistant packaging, more than 110,000 children are reported to have ingested iron since 1986, and 35 of them have died.

FDA is developing regulations to improve the packaging and labeling of drugs and dietary supplements that contain iron. To support those regulations, the Agency is conducting a public education campaign to alert parents and other care givers to the potential danger of iron overdose. The poster, available in either English or Spanish, is part of that campaign.

The full-color poster is 22 inches high and 17 inches wide. It is suitable for display in waiting rooms, examining rooms, and other areas visited by parents of young children.

Single copies are available free of charge by writing to FDA (HFI-44), Rockville, MD 20857. Please specify English, Spanish, or one of each.

REPORT SERIOUS ADVERSE EVENTS AND PRODUCT PROBLEMS TO MEDWATCH
1-800-FDA-1088