CO-OPTIONS TO FEATURE SAMPLE PACKS FOR DIABETICS

RICHARD TURCSIK

DARIEN, Conn. -- Co-Options here will feature sugar-free candies, gums and snacks in Diabetes Carepacks to be distributed in CVS drug stores and some divisions of American Stores Co. late next year.

The Diabetes Carepacks are part of an extensive sampling program that Co-Options plans to launch in pharmacies across the nation. They will contain samples of six to eight items, along with coupons for larger items, like sugar-free soft drinks.

Items expected to be included in the packs include sugar-free candies and gums, snack bars, sugar substitutes and sugar-free instant beverage mixes, said Brian Sockin, president of Co-Options, the sampling firm that is developing the packs.

The Diabetes Carepak sampling program will debut during National Diabetes Awareness Month in November 1999. About 3.2 million Diabetes Carepaks will be distributed nationwide through the pharmacies of at least 5,200 drug stores and supermarket pharmacy departments. Participants include the CVS drug store chain and the Osco, Sav-On, Lucky, Jewel and Acme divisions of American Stores Co.

"Our customers who have diabetes are always looking for products and services targeted to their special needs," said Dave Cardello, director of pharmacy marketing for Salt Lake City-based American Stores. "This package provides these items delivered directly to the customers."

Consumers picking up their insulin and other diabetes-related prescriptions will be handed a small shopping bag of the samples when they pick up their prescriptions, Sockin said. More than 10 million Americans are diagnosed with diabetes, and they spend almost $2,500 a year on diabetes care products, he said.

Sockin said the packs are given away free to customers, and their cost is borne by the manufacturers of the samples.