Homeopathy

NEWTON SQUARE, Pa. — Boiron is making headway introducing a whole new natural external pain reliever into the mass outlet, having earlier this year won distribution through Walgreens and Duane Reade of its arnica gel Arnicare. And Arnicare already is the natural channel’s fastest-growing homeopathic topical pain relief brand, experiencing growth of 67.5% against sales of $5.9 million for the 52 weeks ended April 17, according to Nielsen. 


Drug Store News talked to Laurie Demeritt and Alissa Gould about Boiron’s homeopathy use survey. 


Drug Store News: What are the growth opportunities?


Laurie Demeritt: Right now we see [an] upward of 44% of mainstream consumers have to go outside of the places they normally shop to find more natural OTC products like homeopathics. Among our survey respondents, almost half — 46% — have used natural OTC products, and another 37% haven’t used them, but they’re interested in trying. 


NEW YORK — Hyland’s will attempt to parlay its success across its 4 Kids line of homeopathic solutions into the adult section with its recent launch of the Hyland’s Defend line. “We are seeing tremendous growth in our cold and cough 4 Kids,” noted Jay Borneman, chairman and CEO at Hyland’s. 


Groupings of homeopathic pediatric cough-cold solutions, like those pictured here at a central Pennsylvania CVS, have become more the norm given the safety and efficacy debate around several children’s cough-cold ingredients over the past few years, the spate of recalls and the more recent media-driven concern over accidental overdosing.


ANAHEIM, Calif. — According to a study presented Friday at the Natural Products Expo West, Boiron has found there is substantial opportunity for growth in the retail sales of homeopathic medicines with notable interest among consumers in trying homeopathic medicines.

Nearly half of all consumers have used a natural or alternative medicine successfully in the past, and there is strong consumer desire to minimize their usage of traditional over-the-counter medications because of safety and purity concerns.

Aisle7 and Boiron last month partnered on the Aisle7 Online Decision Support Tools, an online decision support engine to provide science-based, self-care homeopathic product recommendations. Called the Homeopathic Medicine Finder, the Boiron-branded tool enables consumers to filter through more than 350 health conditions and symptoms to find the right product. 
The new tool will be featured across more than 2,000 in-store retail locations and 150 websites served by Aisle7.

Boiron this past fall administered an online makeover across its Oscillo.com site and introduced three additional Internet destinations: ChildrensOscillo.com, Chestal.com and ChildrensChestal.com. The new websites all feature helpful tips for staying healthy and offer Web visitors money-saving coupons.

BUFFALO, N.Y. — Last year’s recalls have put many popular children’s cough-cold medicines in the headlines and off the shelves. Couple that factor with the debate over safety and efficacy of these products, and you have a market primed for just as efficacious but safer introductions, like those in the homeopathic sector.