Warner Lambert has extended the Benylin cough medicine brand in Ontario, Canada, into medicated freezer pops - a novel product targeted at children.
Sold at ambient temperature and intended for home-freezing, the freezer pops are designed to relieve dry coughs. They are available in orange and grape flavours, are alcohol-free and approved by doctors, pharmacists and paediatricians.
Each freezer pop is equivalent to one spoonful of Benylin for Children cough syrup. A paperboard box containing eight freezer pops retails at C$6.49 (£2.70), making this an affordable and fun way of treating kids' coughs.
This is not the first time we have seen a confectionery format used in the healthcare category, but we believe it is the first use of a freezer pop. In 1999, New Zealand company Healtheries introduced KidsCare lollipops, in two varieties: Immune Boosters, with zinc, echinacea and vitamin C to help boost resistance to colds; and Throat Soothers, with Manuka honey and vitamin C to help soothe sore throats. The Healtheries range also includes effervescent vitamin tablets for kids called Fizz Bombs and vitamin/mineral-fortified fruit snacks.
Chewing gum ­ and even bubble gum ­ has also been used as a carrier for medicine and healthful ingredients. In the US, Quigley introduced Cold-Eeze Bubble Gum for kids in 1999, and in South Africa A2Z chewing gum for children has been launched, containing 11 vitamins and eight minerals.

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