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From: bzs@bu-cs.UUCP (Barry Shein)
Newsgroups: net.consumers
Subject: Re: Tylenol
Message-ID: <296@bu-cs.UUCP>
Date: Sun, 23-Mar-86 12:15:12 EST
Article-I.D.: bu-cs.296
Posted: Sun Mar 23 12:15:12 1986
Date-Received: Tue, 25-Mar-86 05:14:17 EST
Organization: Boston Univ Comp. Sci.
Lines: 34


>...Now, if we would
>just move over-the-counter drug packages behind the counter so that
>nobody could walk in and place a contaminated package back on the
>shelf, perhaps the problem wouldn't be so bad.
>
>					--MKR

There you have it, now that's a consumer issue! Back in the dark ages
I remember going to my local pharmacist who (typically) had a store
with desk-height counters around 270 degrees of the store and shelves
only he could get at behind them. The center aisle(s) was reserved for
hot-water bottles etc. You told him what you wanted, he fetched it for
you. The intent was clearly to let you know that only he (or his employees)
could touch the medicines, and I'm sure it worked. (This was otc drugs
as well as, of course, prescription medications.)

In come the drug supermarkets crushing these small-business people in
their paths with their open racks and mega-aisles and disinterested
pimply employees. In come the tamperers, it should have been predictable
as that's why the original pharmacies were set up that way! So, we
pay with our lives to maximize profits and mass-marketing techniques,
ah progress.

Does anyone remember GROCERIES who also would be set-up so only the proprietor
could get at most of the food? (hey, I'm only 33 and grew up in NYC, this
sort of business must still exist in some places far from the burger king.)

Would the govt DARE to make a law that says all otc drugs and similar products
must be shelved such that only employees can touch them (behind counters,
locked cabinets, whatever?) Nah, Federated Stores and Rite-aid would be down
their throats with their lobbyists.

	-Barry Shein, Boston University