HEALTH

After a hiccup in the iron supplement production chain last year, iron is looking solid for a resurgence in sales. Such brands as Feosol, powered by Meda Consumer, are ramping up messaging to such traditional target markets as young women with heavy menstruation, pregnant women and the aging population, all consumer bases who may need to supplement their diets with iron.

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Hisamitsu America recently launched a new Salonpas Pain Relieving Patch, featuring a latex-free patch with beige stretchable fabric with rounder corners, larger size patches, enhanced adhesion, peel resistance and improved effectiveness.

Mark your calendars, because on Aug. 5 the world will be tuning into coverage of the 2016 Summer Olympics in Brazil, and shortly thereafter millions of weekend warriors and fantasy athletes will be looking on drug store shelves for the latest kinesiology tape or copper compression wraps to either relieve the aches and pains generated by pick-up basketball games or beach volleyball tournaments, or to prevent sore muscles in the first place.

Mass market health buyers seeking to sniff out the latest niche opportunity in the vitamins, minerals and supplements aisle may need to look no further than the tip of their nose. Aromatherapy is becoming hot within mass now, as evidenced by the number of players who have entered the market. For example, EO Products recently announced a partnership between its Everyone line of personal care products and Target that brings Everyone Aromatherapy products to more than 1,500 Target locations.

NORCROSS, Ga. — Hibiclens, an antimicrobial cleanser recommended for use before surgery to help reduce surgical site infections, MRSA or a Staphylococcus infection, is a perfect example of how pharmacists can help transition patients from hospital to home.

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Niche products like external analgesics, both creams and patches, continue to represent significant incremental value to the overall pain-relieving category. According to the latest IRI figures, sales of external analgesics were up 8.6% to $560.2 million for the 52 weeks ended March 20 across total U.S. multi-outlets.

WALTHAM, Mass. — NeuroMetrix is aiming its wearable pain relief device Quell at a customer it believes is underserved. “Today, in terms of a serious therapeutic wearable device for chronic pain, we’re pretty unique,” NeuroMetrix SVP and general manager of consumer health Frank McGillin said. “There’s been an adoption of fitness trackers ... and obviously rapid growth of those primarily around the ‘worried well’ — they’re either active people trying to be even more active or they’re focused on their health.