OTC Pain

AMERICAN FORK, Utah — In preparation for this year’s summer Olympics, KT Health added official partnerships with six U.S. Olympic national governing bodies — USA Cycling, USA Gymnastics, USA Track & Field, USA Triathlon, USA Rugby and USA Wrestling — bringing the total to seven when including its partnership with U.S. Soccer that began in 2014.

There were more than 2,400 health, beauty and wellness items launched in 2015. And if historical percentages play out, of those less than 10% will emerge as successful brands with “staying power.”

WALTHAM, Mass. — NeuroMetrix is aiming its wearable pain relief device Quell at a customer it believes is underserved. “Today, in terms of a serious therapeutic wearable device for chronic pain, we’re pretty unique,” NeuroMetrix SVP and general manager of consumer health Frank McGillin said. “There’s been an adoption of fitness trackers ... and obviously rapid growth of those primarily around the ‘worried well’ — they’re either active people trying to be even more active or they’re focused on their health.

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Hisamitsu America recently launched a new Salonpas Pain Relieving Patch, featuring a latex-free patch with beige stretchable fabric with rounder corners, larger size patches, enhanced adhesion, peel resistance and improved effectiveness.

Niche products like external analgesics, both creams and patches, continue to represent significant incremental value to the overall pain-relieving category. According to the latest IRI figures, sales of external analgesics were up 8.6% to $560.2 million for the 52 weeks ended March 20 across total U.S. multi-outlets.