HEALTH

Products for every life stage: Q&A with Mission Pharmacal's Phillip Dritsas
Drug Store News caught up with Phillip Dritsas, SVP, General Manager Consumer Division & Specialty Markets for Mission Pharmacal, to talk about its new product for fighting head lice, and what attendees should expect to see from the Dr. Smith’s brand and Mission Pharmacal at NACDS TSE.

DSN: What new consumer products are being introduced by Mission Pharmacal?
GSK Consumer announces next big allergy switch for 2017
WARREN, N.J. - GSK Consumer Healthcare on Wednesday unveiled the next big switch that will hit allergy aisles in 2017 - the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the company's Flonase Sensimist Allergy Relief (fluticasone furoate, 27.5 mcg spray) as an over-the-counter treatment for symptoms associated with seasonal and perennial allergies.

Previously available by prescription as Veramyst, Flonase Sensimist is the latest Rx-to-OTC switch from GSK.

Children’s Flonase offers 24-hour relief

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — In March, GSK Consumer Healthcare launched Children’s Flonase. If sales of the children’s liquid versions of existing allergy brands are any indication — typically pediatric SKUs represent between 10% and 25% the sales of their parent brand — Children’s Flonase could reach as high as $85 million in its first year.
Emergence of gummies: Q&A with Pharmavite's Tim Toll

The vitamins and dietary supplement category continues to perform well in retail pharmacy and represents a good companion category for those operators seeking to help their patients live healthier and achieve better outcomes.
CDC, Brazil Health Ministry including FC2 in Zika prevention kits

ATLANTA - The Zika virus has hit the coast of Florida in the Miami area, specifically the Wynwood neighborhood, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Monday.

Based on the confirmation of local Zika transmission in Florida, CDC has updated its Interim Zika Response Plan and has released the Zika Community Action Response Toolkit to help states with risk communication and community engagement when local transmission is identified.
Maintaining eye health: Q&A with Prestige Brands’ Joseph Juliano

Joseph Juliano, VP marketing for analgesics, eye care and marketing services at Prestige Brands

Prestige Brands has introduced the first preservative-free eye drop in a multi-dose bottle in the United States with Clear Eyes Pure Relief. Drug Store News sat down with Joseph Juliano, VP marketing for analgesics, eye care and marketing services at Prestige Brands, to discuss the brand launch, along with trends impacting the overall eye care category.
Transparency key amid rising care costs

The underlying economics of health care going forward, where providers are incentivized to manage better health outcomes even as the cost burden continues to shift to the consumer, will favor retail pharmacy in the coming decade, suggested Jane Sarasohn-Kahn, health economist for Think Health.
Baby boomers boost category growth

Adult incontinence is growing by 7%, and with incontinence and bladder leakage a common ailment among baby boomers, that growth is expected to maintain its upward trajectory.
Influence time on OTC purchases shrinking

The window of opportunity to influence an OTC product purchase today is shrinking fast as more shoppers turn to the Internet on their desktops or smartphones to research their health conditions, WebMD’s Jennifer Willey, VP consumer strategy and partnerships, shared with Drug Store News.
Ensure Enlive helps rebuild lost muscle

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Adult nutrition market leader Abbott earlier this year launched its latest adult nutrition protein booster called Ensure Enlive that’s formulated to rebuild lost muscle and regain strength and energy for those boomers with chronic illness or recovering from surgery.