The latest from OTC Perspectives
FDA May Allow Some Medications Without a Prescription to Cut Costs
Tuesday, 08 May 2012, 04:40 PM
In a bold move to help reduce health care costs, the FDA is reportedly considering allowing some drugs to treat conditions, such as high blood pressure and diabetes, without a prescription. Consumers could complete an online or pharmacy kiosk survey to diagnose their symptoms, which would then allow them to make such purchases over-the-counter on Rx-only medications. Despite an increased access to needed medicines, according to The Washington Times, many medical providers are leery of such an offer. The FDA has opened a comment period, read more
CHPA Urges Congress to Restore OTC Meds’ Eligibility under FSAs
Tuesday, 08 May 2012, 04:40 PM
Last Wednesday, the Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA) testified during the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Oversight hearing, urging officials to remove the limitations on OTC medications regarding Flexible Spending Arrangements (FSAs), Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and Health Reimbursement Accounts (HRAs). CHPA President and CEO Scott Melville explained that such impositions are counter-intuitive to the consumer as they can result in one of three options: seeking unnecessary appointment to obtain an Rx; purchase the OTC read more
J&J CEO: No. 1 Priority Is Fixing OTC Business Issues
Tuesday, 08 May 2012, 04:40 PM
Johnson & Johnson’s new CEO, Alex Gorsky, took over last Thursday, announcing his top priority would be to repair the manufacturer’s over-the-counter division. According to Fox Business, Gorsky committed to “revive the business and reintroduce withdrawn products while upgrading manufacturing.” He explained that first and foremost, their teams will “rebuild a lot of [their] brands” as a result. Sales have dropped and the company’s reputation has been marred by a number of very public recalls over the past few years. read more
Contour Next EZ BGM Receives FDA Approval
Tuesday, 08 May 2012, 04:40 PM
Bayer HealthCare’s CONTOUR® Next EZ blood glucose monitoring system received approval for the US market from the FDA last week. According to a report from Diabetes Health, Bayer explained that the new blood glucose monitor (BGM) “contains propriety new blood glucose sensor technology whose accuracy ‘notably exceeds’” current International Organization for Standardization (ISO) requirements. Bayer explained that “the system remains accurate under a wide range of storage conditions, corrects for common errors, and is not affected by hematocrit read more
AAN and AHS Identify Effective Migraine Prevention Medicines
Tuesday, 08 May 2012, 04:39 PM
The American Academy of Neurology (AAN) and American Headache Society (AHS) reviewed several over-the-counter products (including herbal supplements) and prescription medications, identifying seven which were “proven to be effective” and another six which were deemed to be “probably helpful” in preventing episodic migraines. Of the results, which accompanied by new guidelines released in the April 24 issue of Neurology, just one OTC product was found to be effective: Petasites/butterbur. However, four were classified as “probably effective,” read more
Marx: More Manufacturers Distributing Digital Coupons
Tuesday, 08 May 2012, 04:39 PM
Personal Care Digital Coupons comprised 20.7% of the total market in Q1 2012, with the Face Value increasing from $0.53 per unit in Q1 2011 to $0.67 per unit in Q1 2012. “Digital coupons are a key component within an integrated consumer promotion and advertising program. More and more manufacturers are becoming involved in digital promotion and coupons, aligning with multiple websites, potentially increasing consumer exposure to their brand message,” said David Hamric, General Manager Kantar Media Marx in the news release. read more
Industry Contributor: '3-2-1, Launch!' by Dave Wendland
Friday, 30 March 2012, 12:17 PM
Virtually all consumer healthcare product manufacturers have struggled with a common challenge – how to get their new product into the retail channel, which has become increasingly difficult during the past few years. Turns out that crowding the shelves with more choices for consumers seldom results in more sales; and over-populating categories with duplicative products may harm margins and reduce customer satisfaction. So how does a brand manager prepare for a successful launch? And what are buyers really looking for as they evaluate the read more
Health & Beauty Care Coupons Segment, Redemptions Increase
Friday, 30 March 2012, 12:17 PM
Health & Beauty Care (HBC) coupons captured seven of the top ten spots among categories with the highest coupon distribution growth, including the largest HBC increases of: 29.1% growth in Eye Care (ranking no. 2 on the list) and 31.6% increase in First Aid products (ranking 7th on the list). According to the NCH Marketing Services report, while there was a higher volume of coupons, the average savings offered declined by one penny, down to $2.09. The drop went unnoticed by consumers as 6.4% more of them redeemed coupons in 2011 than 2010. read more
Dietary Supplements Taken by Most, Indicator of Healthier Lifestyle Choices
Friday, 30 March 2012, 12:17 PM
More than two-thirds (69%) of U.S. adults take dietary supplements, according to a new report from the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN). Of those, over half (58%) do so for overall health and wellness, while an additional 42% consume them to balance their nutrient needs. Furthermore, supplement consumers appear to make healthier lifestyle choices in general, outranking non-users for eating a balanced diet (84% vs 76%, respectively) and visiting their doctors regularly (73% vs. 62%). read more
Rx-to-OTC Empowers Consumers, Saves Healthcare System Billions
Friday, 30 March 2012, 12:16 PM
Speaking at the FDA’s public hearing, “Using Innovative Technologies and Other Conditions of Safe Use To Expand Which Drug Products Can Be Considered Nonprescription,” Scott M. Melville explained how the Rx-to-OTC switch saves consumers and the healthcare system while providing additional access to needed medications. The President and CEO of the Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA) cited the switch of frequent heartbeat medicines, which have saved consumers an average of $174 per year, amounting to a $750 million savings to the read more
