A container comprising: a generally planar base having a periphery; a sidewall extending upwardly from the periphery of the base to a top opening; the base and sidewall defining an interior space having a receptacle portion and an engagement portion; the receptacle portion configured for receiving and retaining a plurality of flat strip-shaped articles, the engagement portion located distally to the base and configured to detachably receive and retain a lower portion of a vial via a fitted engagement proximate to the top opening; the sidewall having an insertion portion comprising a slit configured to receive a single flat strip-shaped article into the receptacle portion, the insertion portion further comprising a pair of generally planar and rigid opposing surfaces tapered inwardly from an exterior of the sidewall to the slit, the slit being generally defined in the area where the tapered opposing surfaces converge, the tapered opposing surfaces being configured to facilitate alignment of a flat strip-shaped article for insertion through the slit into the receptacle portion; the sidewall further comprising an interior surface; characterized in that: the receptacle portion is located proximal to the base; the interior surface in the engagement portion is contoured to define at least one ledge spaced downwardly from the top opening and delineating a transition from the engagement portion to the receptacle portion, wherein the at least one ledge comprises a stop configured to prevent the portion of a vial received in the engagement portion from extending into the receptacle portion; and the interior surface at the insertion portion is contoured in accordance with the inwardly tapered opposing surfaces to define an interior deflector configured to deflect any loose flat strip-shaped articles contained within the receptacle portion from accidental alignment with the slit which would cause free extraction of said article. a generally planar base having a periphery; a sidewall extending upwardly from the periphery of the base to a top opening; the base and sidewall defining an interior space having a receptacle portion and an engagement portion; the receptacle portion configured for receiving and retaining a plurality of flat strip-shaped articles, the engagement portion located distally to the base and configured to detachably receive and retain a lower portion of a vial via a fitted engagement proximate to the top opening; the base and sidewall defining an interior space having a receptacle portion and an engagement portion; the receptacle portion configured for receiving and retaining a plurality of flat strip-shaped articles, the engagement portion located distally to the base and configured to detachably receive and retain a lower portion of a vial via a fitted engagement proximate to the top opening; the sidewall having an insertion portion comprising a slit configured to receive a single flat strip-shaped article into the receptacle portion, the insertion portion further comprising a pair of generally planar and rigid opposing surfaces tapered inwardly from an exterior of the sidewall to the slit, the slit being generally defined in the area where the tapered opposing surfaces converge, the tapered opposing surfaces being configured to facilitate alignment of a flat strip-shaped article for insertion through the slit into the receptacle portion; the sidewall further comprising an interior surface; characterized in that: the receptacle portion is located proximal to the base; the interior surface in the engagement portion is contoured to define at least one ledge spaced downwardly from the top opening and delineating a transition from the engagement portion to the receptacle portion, wherein the at least one ledge comprises a stop configured to prevent the portion of a vial received in the engagement portion from extending into the receptacle portion; and the interior surface at the insertion portion is contoured in accordance with the inwardly tapered opposing surfaces to define an interior deflector configured to deflect any loose flat strip-shaped articles contained within the receptacle portion from accidental alignment with the slit which would cause free extraction of said article. the receptacle portion is located proximal to the base; the interior surface in the engagement portion is contoured to define at least one ledge spaced downwardly from the top opening and delineating a transition from the engagement portion to the receptacle portion, wherein the at least one ledge comprises a stop configured to prevent the portion of a vial received in the engagement portion from extending into the receptacle portion; and the interior surface at the insertion portion is contoured in accordance with the inwardly tapered opposing surfaces to define an interior deflector configured to deflect any loose flat strip-shaped articles contained within the receptacle portion from accidental alignment with the slit which would cause free extraction of said article.