In this Issue

Christian Tadrus, PharmD, who has been a pharmacist at Sam’s Health Mart Pharmacies in Moberly, Mo., since 1997, is a believer in using patient adherence strategies to help boost pharmacy operations. And with the implementation of health reform, adherence will be a key differentiator between pharmacies — a measurable indicator of quality of care.

Higher-end products are where the beer category is headed. “We’re seeing a lot of high-end segments continuing to steer the ship,” said Dan Wandel, SVP at IRI. “We’re seeing higher-priced products driving the category.”

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

When it comes to laws and regulations, what happens in Europe stays in Europe generally, and doesn’t have much bearing on the United States. But a recent win in Europe for U.S. drug maker Hospira could have some implications for the United States as well.

Last month, the company — which specializes in making generic injectable drugs — announced that European Union regulators had approved the continent’s first biosimilar monoclonal antibody.

HUNT VALLEY, Md. — Even the most savvy sunscreen user can forget to reapply sunscreen when having fun in the sun. However, remembering to reapply is even easier with the licensed sunscreen bands from JADS International. JADS partnered with Marvel, Lifeguard, Alloy Entertainment and Save the Ta-tas to design fashionable bands that appeal to kids and adults alike. Sunscreen Bands’ patented color-changing technology detects the level of UVA and UVB rays based onthe SPF level of an individual's sunscreen.

Many of the larger probiotic brands are experiencing significant growth. i-Health’s Culturelle generated $61.6 million in sales on a growth rate of 44.5% for the 52 weeks ended Aug. 11, according to IRI data across U.S. multi-outlets. And sales of Bayer’s Phillips Colon Health were up 18.5% to $58.7 million.

CINCINNATI — The launch of Procter and Gamble’s ZzzQuil helped to lift sales in the sleep category — both in terms of dollar sales and physical placement. Before ZzzQuil, sleep was typically merchandised near the floor adjacent to internal analgesics. But with ZzzQuil, the entire category was lifted to top-shelf billing. ZzzQuil liquid was up 961.5% to $75 million and ZzzQuil tablets were up 722.1% to $52 million.

Such iconic pain relief brands as McNeil Consumer’s Tylenol and Motrin, and Novartis’ Excedrin, have made their way back to the shelf this fall following a recall-driven hiatus. And the sales have already started to accumulate.

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