In this Issue

More vitamins, minerals and supplements were sold online so far in 2016 than have been sold through a Walmart store, TABS Analytics reported earlier this year. According to the TABS Analytics analysis, $2 billion in VMS products were sold online vs. $1.7 billion at Walmart, $1.3 billion at Costco and $1.2 billion at CVS Pharmacy.

The window of opportunity to influence an OTC product purchase today is shrinking fast as more shoppers turn to the Internet on their desktops or smartphones to research their health conditions, WebMD’s Jennifer Willey, VP consumer strategy and partnerships, shared with Drug Store News.

Drug Store News caught up with Ūnomi founder and CSO Pam Helmly for a rundown on the brand and how it will change personalized wellness.

The nasal spray segment is up 2% from the previous year in the drug channel. Nasal spray segment leaders Afrin (Bayer), NeilMed and private label have all increased sales in the last year. Private label nasal sprays and Afrin both rose 6%, while NeilMed sinus rinse brand saw the largest increase in the segment at 14.3% — all NeilMed products rose 7%.

When Sephora introduced its compact contour app two years ago, it ignited the contouring trend. Now, Sephora has put its efforts behind teaching women how to “cancel out color concerns.”

Joseph Juliano, VP marketing for analgesics, eye care and marketing services at Prestige Brands

Prestige Brands has introduced the first preservative-free eye drop in a multi-dose bottle in the United States with Clear Eyes Pure Relief. Drug Store News sat down with Joseph Juliano, VP marketing for analgesics, eye care and marketing services at Prestige Brands, to discuss the brand launch, along with trends impacting the overall eye care category.

For the second year in a row, spending on medicines in 2015 grew by double-digits, increasing 12.2% on an invoice basis to $424.8 billion, according to the IMS Institute for Healthcare Informatics’ medicine report on spending for 2015.

This year’s NACDS Total Store Expo Vision 2027, a pavilion that delivers insights into the future of retailing and trade-partner collaboration through a unique blend of technology and interactivity, will once again draw attention to the future possibilities in retail pharmacy.