News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
DATE:
 May 15, 2007
CONTACT: Tracy Pawelski
tracy.pawelski@aholdusa.com

   
GIANT, TOPS AND MARTIN'S PLACE AGE RESTRICTION FOR PURCHASE OF PRODUCTS CONTAINING DEXTROMETHORPHAN
Customers must be 18 years or older to purchase specific OTC cough and cold products

Carlisle, PA - Giant Food Stores, TOPS Markets and Martin's Food Markets announced that its retail pharmacies will voluntarily place an age restriction of 18 years or older for the purchase of dextromethorphan products. The voluntary policy change will take place by May 20th.

The company is taking this action in response to the Food and Drug Administration concern regarding the abuse of dextromethorphan, a synthetically produced ingredient found in many over-the-counter cough and cold remedies. The FDA has reported a disturbing trend involving young people abusing products containing dextromethorphan. According to research conducted by the Partnership for a Drug-Free America, one in 10 teenagers, or 2.4 million young people, have intentionally abused cough medicine to get high. Abuse of products containing dextromethorphan can cause death as well as other serious adverse events such as brain damage, seizure, loss of consciousness, and irregular heart beat.

"While perfectly safe when ingested at recommended dosage levels, over-the-counter products that contain dextromethorphan are now being abused by some young people," said Jodie Daubert, vice president for general merchandise, health and beauty care, and fuel. "The decision to place an age restriction on purchasing these products is in the best interest of our customers who use these over-the-counter medicines safely and to address a growing abuse crisis among teens."

Giant Food Stores, LLC, one of the leading supermarket operations in the U.S., currently operates stores in Pennsylvania, New York, Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia under the names of Giant Food Stores, TOPS Markets, Martin's Food Markets and FoodSource. As a company, Giant is proud to work with hundreds of local organizations in the communities it serves and has a long-standing commitment to eradicate hunger and improve the quality of life for children. For more information about Giant Food Stores, visit www.GiantFoodStores.com.

 

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