Parents Peeved at Pharmacy for Promotional Pill Packaging at Parade
Citizens in Ripley, WV are crying foul after a local pharmacy passed out candy in pill bottles to the crowd at the town's annual Fourth of July float contest.
Like many local businesses, Ripley Pharmacy and Main Street Medical Center decorated a float and had employees march in the parade, winning themselves a third place prize. But they also won the scorn of parents, who felt that handing out candy in pill bottles sent children the wrong message about prescription drugs.
Marki Walls, owner of the pharmacy, apologized and promised his intentions were only to "do something nice for the community." Apparently, it's actually a popular marketing tool. Sam's Club recently got in trouble for a similar promotion.
I'm just gonna throw this out there, but I think some media attention should be thrown at and the entire novelty pill industry. I mean, not only do shops like Spencer's Gifts sell candy in pill bottles, but they give young girls false hope that Booby Boosters are really going to increase their bust line. Not that I'm holding an old grudge or anything...
This really is dumb. Small children can easily think that all pill bottles contain candy, and raid the family medicine chests. Many prescription drugs that are safe for adults can be fatal to children. Even asprin or iron pills can be deadly to small children. So no parent -- or business -- should ever package candy in a pill container.
Posted by: Susan | 07/13/09 2:54PM