Allergy

SILVER LAKE, Wis. — Lotus Light Enterprises recently brought over a new approach to combatting allergies from the U.K. in HayMax.

The graying of the baby boomers, an increased focus on supplementing healthier lifestyles and the steady stream of nasal corticosteroid brands making their way from prescription-only to the more value-oriented OTC aisle were just three significant drivers behind the growth of over-the-counter medicines in 2016.

(To view the full Category Review, click here.)

Last year, Drug Store News projected that GSK Consumer Healthcare’s Flonase allergy franchise would be challenged with the introduction of two new nasal corticosteroids to the market — McNeil Consumer’s Rhinocort and Bayer’s ClariSpray.

(To view the full Cough-Cold Report, click here.)

While the C/A/S tablet and liquid subcategories have seen little change in sales versus year-ago sales, the UR nasal subcategory saw impressive growth in the channels studied, due in large part to the recent Rx-OTC switch products in the nasal corticosteroid segment, driving sales up 15% in the food industry and up to10% in drug. (see Figure 1).

(To view the full report, click here.)

BRIDGEWATER, N.J. — Sanofi announced Wednesday that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Xyzal Allergy 24HR as an over-the-counter treatment for the relief of symptoms associated with seasonal and year-round allergies. Specifically, two formulations of Xyzal are now approved for OTC use – 5 mg tablets for ages 6 years and older, as well as 0.5 mg/mL oral solution for ages 2 years and older.

WASHINGTON  — The Consumer Healthcare Products Association on Thursday released the results of a recent poll of registered voters in Michigan showing they are strongly opposed to legislation that would require a prescription for over-the-counter cold and allergy medicines containing pseudoephedrine.

LAS VEGAS  — Dave Challis, RB VP innovation, is bringing RB's Healthier Tomorrow Challenge to CES through Indiegogo in an effort to bring to bear RB's industry expertise, business connections and mentorship to the kind of technology innovators eager to create the next industry disruptor.