Allergy

WARREN, N.J. - GSK Consumer Healthcare on Wednesday unveiled the next big switch that will hit allergy aisles in 2017 - the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the company's Flonase Sensimist Allergy Relief (fluticasone furoate, 27.5 mcg spray) as an over-the-counter treatment for symptoms associated with seasonal and perennial allergies.

Previously available by prescription as Veramyst, Flonase Sensimist is the latest Rx-to-OTC switch from GSK.

“The Daily Show with Jon Stewart” last year lampooned the allergy industry for claiming that 2015 was the “worst allergy season ever.” Just as 2014 was the “worst season” before that, and 2013 the “worst season” before that. And on and on as far back as 2008.

GSK Consumer Healthcare’s Flonase allergy remedy was the single greatest generator of incremental dollars for the 52 weeks ended May 15 across total U.S. multi-outlets, according to IRI data, with $345.2 million in sales on 209.9% growth. The question headed into its second year on OTC shelves is can it maintain its momentum now that private-label competition for Flonase has reached store shelves.

Sales across the overall eye care and contact lens care categories generated $1.8 billion across total U.S. multi-outlets for the period ended May 15, representing growth of 2.4%. And dry eye continues to be a significant driver behind that growth, whether those dry eyes are caused by looking at a computer screen or smartphone all day or if there’s an underlying medical condition.

Sales of OTC medicines continue on a steady pace with dollar volumes up half a billion dollars over the first half of 2016, according to data culled from IRI. Drug Store News earlier this year reported $44 billion in OTC sales for calendar 2015, citing IRI figures.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — In March, GSK Consumer Healthcare launched Children’s Flonase. If sales of the children’s liquid versions of existing allergy brands are any indication — typically pediatric SKUs represent between 10% and 25% the sales of their parent brand — Children’s Flonase could reach as high as $85 million in its first year.

WASHINGTON – With increases in consumer spending expected to remain solid during the remainder of the year, the National Retail Federation on Tuesday increased 2016 retail sales projections by 30 basis points to 3.4% over last year.

Online and other non-store sales, which are included in the overall figure, are expected to increase 7% to 10% year-over-year rather than the 6% to 9% percent forecast earlier.