Cough-Cold and Flu

CHICAGO — Winter is coming, and with it the sneezes and sniffles, the wheezes and coughs that typically make for a robust cough-cold season. According to a Neilsen blog post from Wednesday, more than half (59%) of annual over-the-counter cold and flu medications were purchased between November 2016 and January 2017, according to Nielsen retail measurement sales for the 52 weeks ended Aug. 26, 2017.

Overall, dollar sales grew 7% during last year's 2016-17 cold and flu season, compared to the 2015-16 period, Nielsen reported.

WHIPPANY, N.J. — Bayer Consumer Health on Wednesday introduced its hydraSense daily nasal care line exclusively through Walgreens. Company officials say will offer drug-free saline nasal care solutions for infants and children ages 6 months and older.

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.

LONDON — If Pfizer follows through with its announcement last week to potentially place its consumer business up for sale, GlaxoSmithKline, presently the third-largest OTC seller in the U.S. marketplace, would certainly take a look at it, the company's CEO shared Wednesday morning.

WASHINGTON, Conn. — Lolleez on Tuesday announced the launch of a new line of throat soothing lollipops for kids that capitalizes on the current "cleaner ingredient" trend with Certified Organic ingredients and alleviates a risk of choking associated with lozenges and cough drops.

NEW YORK – Olika on Thursday announced that Birdie – a two-in-one hand sanitizer containing a spray and dry wipes, has been launched into the New York City market.

New Yorkers can now re-stock their “flock” of Birdies along with supplements, snacks and personal care products at New York’s iconic grocery store Fairway Market.
 

WASHINGTON — The Consumer Healthcare Products Association on Wednesday announced a new initiative to support retailers in states that have adopted laws prohibiting the sale of over-the-counter medicines containing the cough suppressant dextromethorphan to minors. The announcement comes on the heels of Nevada’s enactment of a DXM age-restriction law last week.