Sorry for the OT but I have to ask and don't want to start a new thread. Does medicine have to Kosher and is there such a thing?
From the
Central Rabbinical Council of Chicago
"General OTC Guidelines
The following are general guidelines for the consumption of over the counter medications.
1. Pill medications that one swallows are permitted even if they contain non-kosher ingredients. Two exceptions to that rule are:
* Vitamins: In most cases vitamins do not qualify as medicine, and instead are treated as food supplements which require hashgachah (kosher certification). If a doctor prescribes a specific vitamin which is not kosher certified, please review your specific situation with your doctor and Rabbi.
* Gelcaps: Gelcaps (hard or soft) should only be taken by someone who is ill and does not have any alternative medicine that is free of kashrus concerns.
2. Liquid and chewable medication that contains kosher-sensitive ingredients should only be used under the direction of a doctor and Rabbi, who will judge the severity of the illness, the likelihood that the medicine is non-kosher, and the possibility of substituting an alternative which is free of kashrus (kosher) concerns.
3. Please consult your Rabbi for the laws of taking medicine on Shabbos and Yom Tov (Sabbath and Jewish holidays).
4. Do not discontinue the use of any medicine without consulting with your doctor and Rabbi." -end of quote.
I put some translation in parenthesis.
All the above is regarding OTC, but if anyone is severely ill and for sure anything life threatening, they must take any medication that's necessary, kosher or not. Though it may possibly be preferable to not ingest it orally -if it's not kosher..
