Tylenol Maker Rejected New Tamper-Resistant Capsule in 1984

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. —  Tylenol maker Johnson & Johnson said Thursday that it considered, but rejected, using a new tamper-resistant capsule in 1984 after seven cyanide deaths in Chicago and before a cyanide death this month in New York.

Johnson & Johnson said it found the technology did not provide a good enough solution to possible tampering and decided not to use it.

After the seven people died in 1982 in Chicago from cyanide-laced Tylenol, Johnson & Johnson put on tamper-resistant seals on the capsule containers, but, nonetheless, someone was able to get cyanide into at least two of the new bottles.

Ending Production

Johnson & Johnson announced Monday that it was pulling out of production of non-prescription drugs in capsule form as the result of the Feb. 8 death of Diane Elsroth, 23, of Peekskill, N.Y., from cyanide-tainted Extra Strength capsules.

In Hong Kong on Thursday, Johnson & Johnson said it was withdrawing Tylenol in capsule form from sale there in line with its policy in the United States.

The issue of capsule technology centered around R.P. Scherer Corp., a supplier of regular capsules to Johnson & Johnson, which had developed a capsule featuring “Soniseal.”

Scherer, of Troy, Mich., claimed the technology--using sound waves to lock together two pieces of gelatin forming capsules--made capsules tamper-resistant.

Satisfied With Own System

“We looked at all new technologies quarterly since 1982, and we have never seen one that we thought was any better than the triple seal system we have been using,” said Johnson & Johnson spokesman Jim Murray.

“We reviewed this again last week and feel that none of these systems satisfied our concern that someone might be able to tamper.”

Doug White, a Scherer spokesman, said the technology is on the market and, while it is not tamper-proof, it is “one more way” to help with safety.

The Proprietary Assn., a drug industry trade group, said this week it was premature to abandon capsules. Association spokesman Jack Walden said the group is looking at any available new technology.