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HomeHealth and Safety CodeDiv. 104Pt. 5Ch. 6Art. 3§ 111355 Drug Labeling Requirements

§ 111355 Drug Labeling Requirements

Health and Safety Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 111355 Drug Labeling Requirements

Key Takeaways

  • •All drugs must have a label with the correct name of the drug and what's in it.
  • •If a drug has more than one ingredient, the label must list each active ingredient and how much of it is in there.
  • •Some dangerous ingredients, like arsenic or codeine, must always be listed on the label, even if they're not the main ingredient.
  • •The label must be easy to read, with the drug's real name at least half as big as any brand name.

Example

You buy a cough syrup at the store.

The bottle must have a label that says what the main medicine is (like 'acetaminophen') and how much is in each dose. If it has codeine in it, that must be listed too, even if it's not the main ingredient. The real name of the medicine must be easy to see and not hidden by a fancy brand name.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 111355 Drug Labeling Requirements

(a)  Any drug is misbranded unless its label bears, to the exclusion of any other nonproprietary name except the applicable, systematic chemical name or the chemical formula, all of the following information: (1)  The established name of the drug, if any. (2)  If it is fabricated from two or more ingredients, the established name and quantity of each active ingredient, including the kind and quantity or proportion of any alcohol, and also including, whether active or not, the established name and quantity or proportion of any bromides, ether, chloroform, acetanilide, acetophenetidin, antipyrine, atropine, hyoscine, hyoscyamine, codeine, arsenic, digitalis, digitalis glycosides, mercury, ouabain, strophanthin, strychnine, barbituric acid, or any derivative or preparation of any substances contained therein. (3)  For nonprescription drugs, the quantity or proportion of each active ingredient and the established name of each inactive ingredient in accordance with Sections 502(e)(1)(A)(ii) and (iii) of the federal act (21 U.S.C. 352(e)(1)(A)(ii) and (iii)). (b)  The requirement for stating the quantity of the active ingredients of any drug, including the quantity or proportion of any alcohol, and also including, whether active or not, the quantity or proportion of any bromides, ether, chloroform, acetanilide, acetophenetidin, antipyrine, atropine, hyoscine, hyoscyamine, codeine, arsenic, digitalis, digitalis glycosides, mercury, ouabain, strophanthin, strychnine, barbituric acid, or any derivative or preparation of any substances contained therein, shall apply to all drugs, including prescription drugs and nonprescription drugs. However, the requirement for declaration of quantity shall not apply to nonprescription drugs that are also cosmetics, as defined in Section 201(i) of the federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. Sec. 321(i)) and that are labeled in compliance with federal labeling requirements concerning declaration of ingredients including active ingredients and also the quantity and proportion of any alcohol, except that the quantity or proportion of the following ingredients, whether active or not, shall be declared: bromides, ether, chloroform, acetanilide, acetophenetidin, antipyrine, atropine, hyoscine, hyoscyamine, codeine, arsenic, digitalis, digitalis glycosides, mercury, ouabain, strophanthin, strychnine, barbituric acid, or any derivative or preparation of any substances contained therein. The department may exempt any nonprescription drug from the requirement of stating the quantity of the active ingredients, other than those specifically named in this subdivision, upon a showing by the applicant through evidence satisfactory to the department that the granting of the exemption will not endanger the public health. For any prescription drug the established name of the drug or ingredient, as the case may be, on the label and on any labeling on which a name for the drug or ingredient is used shall be printed prominently and in type at least half as large as that used thereon for any proprietary name or designation for the drug or ingredient. The changes made in this section by Chapter 943 of the Statutes of 1978 shall not apply to any drug shipped by a manufacturer or packer to a retailer or wholesaler before January 1, 1980. Any such drugs so shipped shall comply with this section on and after January 1, 1981. (Amended by Stats. 2000, Ch. 796, Sec. 9. Effective January 1, 2001.)

Last verified: January 23, 2026

Key Terms

quantitynonprescriptionproportioncompliancedangerhealthnetfine

Related Statutes

  • § 5460 Contamination Abatement Orders
  • § 100315 Pace Program Regulatory Exemptions
  • § 124710 Rural Clinic Funding Stability
  • § 1280 Health Facility Deficiencies Correction
  • § 1280.3 Health Facility Immediate Jeopardy Penalties

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Health and Safety Code. Section 111355.
View Official Source