Practical Steps to Make Health Care Better

Statistically Speaking The analysis showed that: • An average tablet or capsule contains about 9 inactive ingredients. • Only 12% of solid oral medications contain no inactive ingredients that could affect people with allergies, intolerance, or sensitivities. • Only 28% of solid oral medications have at least 1 formulation that doesn’t contain any of these inactive ingredients. • Although 75% of people worldwide have lactose intolerance, 45% of solid oral medications contain lactose. • One-third of these medications contain at least 1 chemical dye such as tartrazine (FD&C [Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act] yellow 5) that can provoke severe atopic reactions, especially in patients with existing allergies or asthma. • Nearly two-thirds of valproic acid capsules and 100% of progesterone capsules contain peanut oil, limiting treatment options for people with peanut allergy. However, some valproic acid formulations are made instead with corn oil to avoid allergic reactions.