Allergy

The allergy space will continue to heat up significantly in 2017 as marketers pollinate the airwaves with advertisements promoting their latest brand introductions. GSK Consumer Healthcare will have its hands full defending the Flonase franchise, now the No. 1 allergy remedy on the market. Not only is there another nasal corticosteroid on the market — McNeil Consumer’s Rhinocort launched earlier this year — but Flonase faces increasing private-label and brand competition.

CINCINNATI - Procter & Gamble on Wednesday announced the relaunch and expansion of its Sinex brand, a complete line of over-the-counter medications designed for consumers who suffer from sinus symptoms. With the relaunch, “The Clear Your Head Medicine” enters a misunderstood category to offer consumers a clear choice for their nasal congestion and pressure relief, regardless of whether symptoms are due to allergies, colds or other triggers.

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.