In this Issue

Sales across the overall eye care and contact lens care categories generated $1.8 billion across total U.S. multi-outlets for the period ended May 15, representing growth of 2.4%. And dry eye continues to be a significant driver behind that growth, whether those dry eyes are caused by looking at a computer screen or smartphone all day or if there’s an underlying medical condition.

Drug Store News caught up with Cameron Poluszek, marketing director of oral health at GSK Consumer Healthcare, to discuss current trends in oral care.

DSN: Can you discuss the current trends in oral care? Are consumers looking for whitening, cavity protection or items that do all and more?

CITY OF INDUSTRY, Calif. — Physicians Formula was doing color correcting before it was trendy. This year, the company built upon that strength with its InstaReady collection, highlighted by its Super BB Contour Trio BB Stick SPF 30. It was developed to diminish shine for flawless filter-free social media posts. Linking into National Selfie Day, Physicians Formula held a contest encouraging women to take selfies on Instagram, which resulted in 12% increases in sales.

There’s no question that wearables are a health-tracking trend that will continue to gain traction. According to PricewaterhouseCoopers’ “Top health industry issues of 2016,” the more acclimated consumers get to their smartphones, the more they’re going to be looking to devices that will keep them on track toward better health.

PricewaterhouseCooper’s Health Research institute, in its look at the biggest industry issues of 2016, found that 60% of patients would be willing to use their mobile device for a physician visit. The increased interest in telehealth comes as Mordor Intelligence projects the industry will be worth more than $34 billion by 2020, and as chains and independents look to telehealth solutions to connect patients to providers and pharmacy services in rural or underserved areas.

One solution for stalled mass market skin care sales has been enlarging natural product choices. Although “natural” is hard to define without true regulation, consumers are at least looking for products with the fewest harmful ingredients.

DALLAS — Kimberly-Clark in April introduced the improved Depend Fit-Flex Underwear, which is now more flexible to move with one’s body, the company stated. And the Depend brand also introduced new Depend Night Defense Underwear for Women — an overnight absorbency brief specifically designed for nighttime use that features more absorbent material and more coverage for lightweight, heavy protection.

(To view the full Category Reviews, click here.)

In April, the Food and Drug Administration granted approval to Pfizer’s Inflectra (infliximab) — a biosimilar of Janssen’s Remicade and possibly the second biosimilar to be launched in the United States. But like the first biosimilar, Zarxio (filgrastim-sndz), Inflectra is subject to a 180-day waiting period before launch, and is currently facing opposition from Janssen, which claims Remicade’s patent doesn’t expire until 2018.