Allergy

Los Angeles-based EZC Pak has helped physicians reduce the number of antibiotics prescribed during initial visits, and is setting its sights on the consumer health market.

NEW YORK — Pfizer on Tuesday might be putting its $3.4 billion consumer healthcare business on the sales block, noting that all scenarios would be considered during a strategic review of its options, which include a full or partial separation of the business from Pfizer through a spin-off, sale or other transaction.

Of course, Pfizer may ultimately determine to retain the business, the company added.

OSLO, Norway — Thinfilm Electronics on Tuesday announced GSK Consumer Healthcare has commercially deployed Thinfilm’s SpeedTap tags to create interactive ‘smart’ shelves for enhanced communication with consumers at time of purchase decision-making in Canada.

TORONTO, Ontario — In an effort to connect with Canada’s aging population, Shoppers Drug Mart this week will unveil its new pilot retail experience in Toronto’s Leaside neighborhood. The Wellwise store pilot will get a grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony on Saturday, Sept. 23.

SAN DIEGO, Calif.  — “We all love predictability and feel stress during moments of change and disruption. But the future is about expanding in our intangible leadership skills so we can better manage the changing environment. There has been too much change in too short of time. Tomorrow is all about how you think, not just what you know. We must all expand our capacity. Amazon has disrupted everyone’s journey, and we must change along with it.”

The OTC e-commerce channel is the 900-lb. gorilla in the traditional domestic and global retail worlds. A U.S. brand owner is now confronted with a global pricing discipline challenge. The speed and ubiquity of product pricing and information has forced the issue. To paraphrase Hermione in “Harry Potter,” everything has changed.

WAUKESHA, Wis. — Cold and allergy is the leading front-of-store category as measured by dollar sales for independents, Hamacher Resource Group reported in a blog on Monday. All told, the category represents 17.9% of all health, beauty and wellness sales.

That total is slightly down, 0.6%, from last year’s percentage, but HRG is confident cough cold sales will swing up in the coming season.

DUBLIN — As more consumers continue to capitalize on the value of a national brand equivalent through the appeal of the kind of own brand mindset many retailers have today, private label has never looked so promising. Not only is there continued growth in core categories due to the migration of consumers from national brand to store brand, but also the potential for new OTC product classes to emerge as the administration struggles to make healthcare more affordable.