Acetanilde in Headache Remedy Case Summary: Robert N. Harper had begun making his headache remedy.

Back then, he was a student at the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, at the same time gaining practical experience by working as a chemist for the pharmaceutical manufacturing firm, ohn !yeth " Brother. #he descripti$e matter on the label and in a pamphlet packed with each bottle contained statements that struck the Bureau officials as false and misleading. #he analysis showed the percentage of alcohol to be not %& but '( per cent, which is in contrast to the figures written on the label of the medicine. #here was also misbranding of the headache remedy against the claims of Harper that it contains )no poisonous ingredients of any kind* well in fact, the remedy contains acetanilide. ISSUE +xtensi$e use of acetanilide might be fraught with ha,ard. #he inclusion of this compound to headache remedy is already an offense against the Chemistry -aw of '&.& and the Codes of +thics set by the Board of Chemistry for it being ha,ardous. /n .0&1, acetanilide was deemed a ma2or threat to public health. #oo much acetanilide taken o$er too long a period, could destroy up to four3fifths of the red blood cells. #he acetanilide benumbs the ner$es rather than treating headache as claimed by some articles. 4ccording to 4rticle / section ( of the Chemistry -aw of '&.&, the professional practice of chemistry co$ers the performance of a ser$ice related to the public interest, public safety, legal or regulatory matters. /n this case, the Harper failed to attend the public safety of the consumers of his drug. #he chemist3pharmacist clearly $iolated his function and responsibility as a pharmacist and as a chemist. 5or this, the chemist might e$entually lose his credentials by the re$ocation of his license as mentioned on 4rticle /// section '0 of this -aw. /n relation to the Code of +thics, simply $iolated Sections 1 and 2, stating that, )6conform and abide by the principles and ethical conduct set forth herein* and )it shall be the duty of e$ery chemist to obser$e the laws, rules and regulations and to bear the responsibilities pertaining to his profession*. #he chemist being careless of gambling the safety of the consumers himself, committed offenses to the Chemistry -aw. #he responsibility to ensure public safety and public interest was )grossly* neglected, hence, he had endangered many li$es of the possible chronic effects of the remedy he has formulated. 7n the label of the remedy formulated for headache, Harper mislead his consumers by stating figures on the labels of his drug which do not exactly agree with the results of the chemical analyses from other laboratories. #his misleading label, alongside with the issue of misbranding, is an offense to Section 7 of the code of ethics.

JUD !E"# !orking as a chemist and pharmacist re8uires appropriate skills, background, and discretion in formulating a remedy especially for ailments such as headaches because these are administered by ingestion. Before selling a formulated medicine on the market, the safety of the consumers must always be considered. #he contents on the label and pamphlet of the remedies formulates must always agree with the results of the other lab test. #his can be done by abiding with the acceptable standards 9i.e. /:7; to maintain a high 8uality drug. /n doing so, there will be more confidence that would be rooted by the consumers to the formulated remedy. #his issue should be addressed well so that we can be sure that we administer a safe remedy, and not a )poison*. #here should be proper documentation, careful and meticulous way of working with the formulation and making it into a drug. :tandard 7perational Procedures e$en for the smallest things such as the state of the working area and handling of chemicals must ne$er be neglected. Presence of mind always counts. Regardless of the e$ents, or things that affects your $ibrancy, those must ne$er affect the working attitude on the laboratory. !orking on a chemical laboratory, and e$ery step associated to the accomplishment of the ob2ecti$e, must always be carried3out with the )presence of mind*. )No chemist works alone in a laboratory*. !hen in doubt, always seek the help of a senior, or the co3chemist in the lab. /n doing so, gross errors can always be pre$ented.