In this Issue

Overall, the OTC sector in 2013 realized $40.2 billion in sales, according to data culled from OTC categories tracked by IRI. That’s up from the $38.3 billion that DSN reported last year. The 2013 sales numbers reflect a strong 2012-2013 cough-cold season and the relaunch of Tylenol, Excedrin and Motrin.

Shaving trends among men — or rather the lack thereof — has shaken up the razor segment a bit as more men are opting to sport facial hair, but manufacturers remain optimistic as they churn out new innovations and see a decline of “loaded pantries” on the horizon.

(For the full category review, including sales data, click here.)

FAIRFIELD, Calif. — Jelly Belly has added a second colorful, trendy bag to its line of Camo Beans — Pink Camo Beans. For every bag of Camo Beans and Pink Camo Beans sold, Jelly Belly Charities will donate $0.25 to support U.S. veterans and their families. The mix includes Cotton Candy, Coconut, Licorice, Cherry Passion Fruit Smoothie, Bubble Gum and Strawberry Cheesecake.

The new Camo Beans are available in 3.5-oz. hanging Grab & Go bags and will be on shelf in March.

Although the United States is still waiting for final practical guidelines from the Food and Drug Administration about the launch of biosimilars and the standards required to meet the threshold of interchangeability, the rest of the world seems to be barreling forward with the development and launch of these important medicines. By the end of this decade, a significant number of blockbuster drugs will go off patent, paving the way for biosimlar market entrance.

HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. — Building on the 2013 introduction of Snickers Bites and Milky Way Bites, Mars Chocolate North America added three new flavors of unwrapped, bite-sized treats: Twix Bites, 3 Musketeers Bites and Milky Way Simply Caramel Bites.

Pinterest will emerge as a stronger alternative to Facebook and Twitter, according to global research and analytics firm Blueocean Market Intelligence. The company analyzed the online data of the nation’s top 100 retailers from September through December 2013 as part of its ongoing study assessing the business impact of top retailers’ social media efforts. Blueocean Market Intelligence predicts the following top social media trends for the retail industry in 2014:

Two Rx-to-OTC switches in the past year may serve as a harbinger of what the Food and Drug Administration will consider “switch” worthy. They both address chronic care needs, and they both represent first of their kind medicines to the nonprescription aisle.