Boiron expands homeopathic flu and cold relief brand

NEWTON SQUARE, Pa. Boiron continued to roll out its pediatric line extensions of its popular homeopathic flu-relief brand Oscillococcinum at the ECRM Cough-Cold & Allergy conference earlier this month. The homeopathic remedies — Children’s Oscillococcinum and Children’s ColdCalm Pellets, for the flu and the cold, respectively — appear to be a natural for children. The medicines are safe and clinically proven effective in a delivery format of sweet, small pellets that kids gravitate toward.

Boiron is also packing a little marketing punch behind its pediatric line extensions with a $6.6 million advertising campaign behind Oscillo.

Given all the concern over the safety and efficacy of children’s cough and cold medicines, homeopathic cold and flu medicines helped drive higher homeopathic sales in the mass channel. Representing 64% of all homeopathic sales in food, drug and mass (minus Walmart), homeopathic cold-flu SKUs represented 91% of all homeopathic growth, according to Nielsen ScanTrack data for the 52 weeks ended Dec. 27, as cited by Boiron. Total cold and flu sales across mass channels over that period totaled $1.3 billion, up 1.2%, as tabulated by Boiron. Homeopathic cold and flu sales totaled $151.6 million, representing growth of 11.4%. Incidentally, Boiron’s cold and flu SKUs generated $9.1 million, up 13%.