In this Issue

Pharmacy and food retailers take note: As health-and-wellness consumers, Americans need you now more than ever. That was the message from health economist and futurist Jane Sarasohn-Kahn at a June 15 seminar on retail health care, the aging population and new trends impacting health delivery. The event, held in Bentonville, Ark., and co-hosted by Drug Store News and Mack Elevation Forum, gave retail leaders, health stakeholders and other experts a rare opportunity to explore the major trends driving the retail health movement.

Quest Products is looking to break onto the external analgesic scene with CopperFixx, a balm that combines the analgesic properties associated with copper and arnica. “Copper has always been known to help relieve the aches and pains of certain afflictions,” said Don Ryan, president and CEO of Quest Products. “Until now, no one had figured out how to produce it in a consumer-friendly form.”

At Abbott Nutrition, “it all starts with consumer empathy,” the company’s director of insights, innovation and brand strategy, Surya Menon, told attendees at the Retail Health Summit. By helping the company understand a patient’s head space when making a purchase, this starting point is aimed at ensuring they can meet consumer needs at the best time.

Today’s health system is saddled with stark challenges, including runaway costs, exploding demand for services and huge gaps in the quality of care and in the sharing of patient records, treatment options, health risk factors and other data.

CARSON, Calif. — Hyland’s at NACDS Total Store Expo launched a new homeopathic energy booster called Good Morning that targets consumers looking for a natural revitalization solution, following a night of tossing and turning in bed. Good Morning contains no caffeine, is stimulant free and is non-habit forming. According to Hyland’s research, 38.3% of Americans have trouble sleeping, with stress being the leading cause of their restlessness.

As critics of the Affordable Care Act continue to grumble about how the law has adversely affected much of the nation’s healthcare system, consultant and Foundation for Health Smart Consumers fellow Mike Tarino said that giving people more control over how their healthcare dollars are spent could help quiet the critics and put what many see as a failing reform plan back on track.

“One-in-4 people over age 45 in the United States is chronically lonely.”

CAMBRIDGESHIRE, U.K. — Swiss oral care brand Curaprox has launched an all-natural whitening toothpaste that removes discoloration by using activated carbon without eroding or bleaching the enamel. Black is White toothpaste contains enzymes that protect against tooth decay and support salivary functions. It also remineralizes tooth enamel and seals exposed dentine channels. The toothpaste comes with a toothbrush and has an SRP of $29.95.