McKesson unveils Foster & Thrive OTC pharmacy products
McKesson is debuting Foster & Thrive, a curated private brand of over-the-counter health and wellness products. Launching Foster & Thrive unifies the company’s private brand portfolio—consolidating Health Mart and Sunmark branded OTC products—to offer expanded availability through increased production volumes and efficiencies that will help meet evolving patient needs and growing demand, the company said.
Noting that 8 in 10 consumers use OTC medicines to relieve their symptoms for a range of illnesses, according to the Consumer Healthcare Products Association, McKesson said that today’s consumers are increasingly turning to private label OTC products to manage their health, given a number of factors, such as price and recognizing quality is equivalent to national brands.
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“With nearly 200 years of supply chain excellence, McKesson is uniquely positioned to meet this growing demand for private label products that pharmacists, patients and caregivers can depend on,” said Peter Koo, vice president, general manager of pharmacy and healthcare solutions at McKesson.
Koo added, “Foster & Thrive offers pharmacists and their customers selectively sourced products that meet the quality standards of a healthcare leader. It’s important that products work, and equally important today’s customers can easily find those they need.”
McKesson crafter four product categories to help patients find the items they need:
• Acute Care – to relieve temporary illnesses such as allergies, pain, cold and flu, digestion and smoking cessation;
• Diagnostic Care – to check and track symptoms and vital signs with diagnostic products like thermometers and blood pressure monitors;
• Everyday Care – to help mend the everyday ailments with products for first aid, daily living support, feminine care and cosmetics; and
• Preventative Care – to help ensure continued health and wellness through vitamins that support immunity, nutrition and other personal needs.
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McKesson said its goal is to seamlessly transition Health Mart and Sunmark items to the new Foster & Thrive brand by category. The transition will begin in July 2023 and continue through October 2024.