HEALTH

Congress addresses the elephant in the room: Cost savings yielded by pharmacy-based MTM
A 12-to-1 return on investment. That’s what researchers in Minnesota estimated public and private health plan payers can get when they pay pharmacists to provide medication therapy management.
Robin Leedy and Associates wins three new OTC clients
MOUNT KISCO, N.Y. — Public relations and digital marketing firm Robin Leedy and Associates has added three new clients, the firm said Tuesday.

RL&A said the clients were Matrixx Initiatives, which makes the Zicam family of pre-cold and nasal congestion products; Crosscare, which makes Colief Infant Drops for colic related to transient lactase deficiency; and Cirrus Healthcare Products, which makes EarPlanes air-pressure ear plugs, as well as AquaEars for children. The firm specializes in OTC, health and beauty aids and consumer lifestyle brands marketed to women.

Former Bayer executive wins CHPA award

WASHINGTON — The former president of Bayer HealthCare's Worldwide Consumer Care Division has won a lifetime-achievement award from a trade group focused on the OTC industry.

The Consumer Healthcare Products Association announced that it gave its Ivan D. Combe Lifetime Achievement Award to Gary Balkema at its annual executive conference in Naples, Fla.
CHPA: OTC industry well-positioned to seize self-care opportunity

NAPLES, Fla. — The Consumer Healthcare Products Association's Annual Executive Conference was sold out for the first time since 2001, CHPA president and CEO Scott Melville told a packed morning session, and that is a strong prognosticator as to the health and vitality of the self-care industry.
Oceans Omega, DSM Nutritional Products enter supply agreement

PARAMUS, N.J. — Oceans Omega has a new supply agreement with DSM Nutritional Products for the production of Oceans Omega's OTEC emulsion ingredients, the company said Monday.

DSM is a supplier of omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, carotenoids and other ingredients to the feed, food, dietary supplement and personal care industries. Oceans Omega supplies stabilized omega-3 EPA and DHA ingredients.
Switching off the pain

LAKE FOREST, Ill. — Omron recently charged analgesic aisles with a new pain relief option. Omron's Electro-Therapy Pain Relief unit is the only approved transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation unit on the market and should be an adjunctive sale for chronic pain sufferers. The product could add a spark to nonmedicinal, external pain relief. Sales of heat and ice packs were relatively flat in 2012, with sales approaching $235 million.
Study: Colder days may contribute to more virulent flu season

BETHESDA, Md. — Global warming could spell the end of flu seasons, research released Friday by the National Institution of Health suggests, because the influenza virus better propagates and is more sustainable in colder climates.
Oceans Omega introduces omega-infused water

PARAMUS, N.J. — Oceans Omega launched its omega-3 EPA/DHA enhanced water product, branded Omega Infusion, into 100 H-E-B stores with Healthy Living Departments, the company announced.
Branded pain relief tablets battle for sales

With private label across analgesics up an estimated 11.3% to $1.7 billion, retailers are going to need to make some tough decisions as two internal analgesic powerhouses — McNeil's Tylenol and Novartis' Excedrin — make their way back onto market after respective recalls. Within internal analgesic tablets, sales of store brand equivalents were up 15% off of a 2011 base of around $1.2 billion. The branded competition also were benefactors — both Pfizer's Advil and Bayer's Aleve generated more than $50 million in incremental sales on top of 2011 sales.
At-home tests grow in popularity

BETHLEHEM, Pa. — The landmark launch of Orasure Technologies' OraQuick In-Home HIV test last year was a key driver behind the 5.4% growth in the home-test kit category for the 12 weeks ended Dec. 30 across U.S. multi-outlets, according to SymphonyIRI Group data. The HIV test contributed $1 million in purely incremental sales to the total $15.5 million in category sales.