What is the role of safety caps in pharmacy practice?

The role of safety caps in pharmacy practice is primarily aimed at preventing accidental ingestion by children. These caps, often referred to as child-resistant closures, are designed to be difficult for small children to open but still accessible to adults. The inclusion of safety caps is a critical component of medication safety, as it helps reduce the risk of unintentional poisonings which can have serious consequences for young children.

While preventing contamination of pills, ensuring proper labeling, and enhancing the shelf-life of medications are important aspects of pharmacy practice, they do not specifically relate to the primary function of safety caps. Safety caps are tailored specifically to target the safety concerns associated with easy access to medications for children, making their role distinctly defined in the context of child safety.