In this Issue

Sales of body care products have been on the downslide in recent years, according to research, likely because of consumers turning away from nonessential purchases amid a weak economy. However, times appear to be changing.

(For the full category review, including sales data, click here.)

There are many ways a pharmacy operation can measure success; the most basic is to fill more prescriptions today than yesterday.

Ryan Merrell, head of marketing for Spence’s Pharmacy, a Health Mart pharmacy in Logan, Utah, is among many independent pharmacies who are using McKesson’s Physician Outreach Program to do just that by benchmarking total prescription share against their local market and helping to identify and build relationships with high prescribers in their areas — in real time.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Well-known sun care brand Coppertone has tackled a sun care need not often talked about — tattoos. For 2013, the brand launched its Tattoo Guard products to help protect against UVA and UVB rays that can fade or blur tattoos. Available as a lotion with SPF 50 or stick with SPF 50+, the formulas offer broad-spectrum protection and can help maintain the smooth appearance of tattooed skin. The lotion is ideal for larger tattooed areas, while the stick is great for precise, spot application.

Christian Tadrus, PharmD, who has been a pharmacist at Sam’s Health Mart Pharmacies in Moberly, Mo., since 1997, is a believer in using patient adherence strategies to help boost pharmacy operations. And with the implementation of health reform, adherence will be a key differentiator between pharmacies — a measurable indicator of quality of care.

Higher-end products are where the beer category is headed. “We’re seeing a lot of high-end segments continuing to steer the ship,” said Dan Wandel, SVP at IRI. “We’re seeing higher-priced products driving the category.”

(For the full category review, including sales data, click here.)

When it comes to laws and regulations, what happens in Europe stays in Europe generally, and doesn’t have much bearing on the United States. But a recent win in Europe for U.S. drug maker Hospira could have some implications for the United States as well.

Last month, the company — which specializes in making generic injectable drugs — announced that European Union regulators had approved the continent’s first biosimilar monoclonal antibody.

HUNT VALLEY, Md. — Even the most savvy sunscreen user can forget to reapply sunscreen when having fun in the sun. However, remembering to reapply is even easier with the licensed sunscreen bands from JADS International. JADS partnered with Marvel, Lifeguard, Alloy Entertainment and Save the Ta-tas to design fashionable bands that appeal to kids and adults alike. Sunscreen Bands’ patented color-changing technology detects the level of UVA and UVB rays based onthe SPF level of an individual's sunscreen.

Many of the larger probiotic brands are experiencing significant growth. i-Health’s Culturelle generated $61.6 million in sales on a growth rate of 44.5% for the 52 weeks ended Aug. 11, according to IRI data across U.S. multi-outlets. And sales of Bayer’s Phillips Colon Health were up 18.5% to $58.7 million.