NEW FDA RULES SEEK TO DETER MISUSE OF OVER-COUNTER DRUGS

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Federal officials on Thursday announced new rules
to help prevent people from getting sick from their medications.
Over-the-counter drugs for coughs, colds and other ailments will be
required to carry labels that are easier to read and understand.

The Food and Drug Administration's regulations aim to reduce drug
misuse, which causes 170,000 hospitalizations in the United States
each year, the officials said.

Elderly people often have trouble reading the small type on current
drug packaging, the officials said. Children also are at risk because
pediatric dosing information frequently is buried deep in the
instructions.

"This is going to have a big impact on the Americans who use these
over-the-counter drugs," said Vice President Al Gore. "These drug
labels will be going from indecipherable to easy to read."

Gore unveiled the plans at a White House ceremony with FDA
Commissioner Jane Henney, Health and Human Services Secretary Donna
Shalala and three pharmacists.

The new regulations will apply to some 100,000 drugs and cosmetics.
They will establish minimum standards for type size on most labels.
Manufacturers must list ingredients, correct dosage and warnings.