News Briefs

The National Community Pharmacists Association is recommending to its members Prescryptive’s state-of-the-art myRx AI Pricing system, which NCPA said can make independent pharmacies immediately more competitive by giving them access to cash pricing optimization driven by artificial intelligence.

“As the voice of the community pharmacist, we know that helping our pharmacists compete in the digital age is imperative,” said Douglas Hoey, CEO of NCPA. “By utilizing this technology, our NCPA member pharmacies can utilize cutting-edge technology to stay competitive while also continuing to do what they do best: take care of their patients.”

[Read more: NCPA survey: Three-quarters of community pharmacies report staff shortages]

“Prescryptive is proud to bring pharmacists this technology,” said Chris Blackley, CEO of Prescryptive Health. “We are empowering these entrepreneurial business owners and critical healthcare providers with accurate, timely pricing services to help them position themselves for the future while offering competitive pricing that’s fair to their customers.”

Prescryptive’s AI-optimized pricing engine, myRx AI Pricing, offers a robust solution for pharmacies and cash-paying healthcare consumers. A team of Prescryptive data scientists uses its artificial intelligence platform to analyze pharmacy pricing data, looking for opportunities based on pharmacy location, the drug itself and more. Pharmacists receive enhanced analytics and current actionable insights, creating a competitive system for cash pricing based on Prescryptive’s predictive model that consistently adjusts prices based on evolving analytics.

NCPA noted that with increasing usage of high-deductible health plans, more customers are paying cash at the pharmacy counter, and community pharmacists need a solution beyond most traditional cash discount cards operated by third parties that often drive higher prices for consumers and financial losses to the pharmacy.

[Read more: 2022 Good Neighbor Pharmacy NCPA Pruitt-Schutte Student Business Plan Competition finalists announced]

The myRx AI Pricing forward-looking solution assures that pharmacies can leverage the power of AI optimization, offering transparency into opaque drug pricing and a capability that balances sustainability for the pharmacy with savings for cash-paying healthcare consumers, according to Prescryptive Health.

Reese’s continues to innovate its classic chocolate and peanut butter cups with a launch that features its signature cereal bites.

The Reese’s Big Cups Stuffed with Reese’s Puffs cereal features its classic peanut butter and chocolate with peanut butter and chocolate cereal pieces.

“Collaborations are quite popular, but what we are about to unleash is next level. We knew the ultimate mashup was already within the Reese’s universe, so we made it happen,” said Henry Hancock, senior associate brand manager at Reese’s. “We’re taking chocolate and peanut butter fandom to a new stratosphere by adding Reese’s Puffs cereal to our Reese’s Big Cup.”

Consumers can find Reese’s Big Cups Stuffed with Reese’s Puffs cereal at retailers nationwide beginning in November.  

Nexxus is working to help consumers achieve salon-quality hair results at home with two new product launches.

The latest in hair care from the brand includes:

• Keraphix Damage Repair Treatment Cream: A reparative fiber bonding cream that works to repair and prevent split ends. It provides heat protection, reduces unwanted frizz and aids in speeding up blow dry time. Its unique bonding technology strengthens hair, leaving it shiny, soft and appearing healthier; and
• Humectress 360 Perfector: A light, moisturizing leave-in that aids in renewing any hair texture. This multiple-benefit cream also provides a premium 20-benefit formula that will leave hair revived and silky, with improved elasticity and preservation of natural proteins.

Nexxus’ Keraphix Damage Repair Treatment Cream retails for $20.99 and Humectress 360 Perfector retails for $19.99 exclusively at Amazon.

AllianceRx Walgreens Pharmacy has achieved reaccreditation through the Accreditation Commission for Health Care for specialty pharmacy services.

Accreditation is a process through which healthcare organizations demonstrate compliance with national standards. Accreditation by ACHC reflects an organization’s dedication and commitment to meeting standards that facilitate a higher level of performance and patient care.

“AllianceRx Walgreens Pharmacy has always placed patient care in the highest regard,” said Jodi Sibell, director of accreditation and document management. “Achieving reaccreditation reaffirms our team members’ dedication to providing the highest standards of care for our patients.”

ACHC accreditation occurs every three years and will be effective for AllianceRx Walgreens Pharmacy specialty pharmacy until Sept. 15, 2025. In addition to ACHC, AllianceRx Walgreens Pharmacy’s specialty and home delivery pharmacies are accredited by URAC and the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy.

Fall is officially in full swing and Bare Performance Nutrition is getting into the spirit of the season by debuting a limited-edition whey protein flavor — pumpkin spice.

Offering pumpkin spice flavors without excess sugar or calories, the whey-casein protein blend contains 25 g of protein per serving and can be added to cold water, milk, milk substitute, smoothies and baking products, the company said.  

“There is such a craze around pumpkin spice everything that we not only knew we needed to, but had to, create our own version that tastes amazing, but is a much healthier option,” said Nick Bare, founder and CEO of BPN. “Our pumpkin spice whey protein is insanely delicious and still gives you all those nostalgic fall feelings. Your search for the perfect fall-flavored protein is over.” 

Retailing for $44.99, Bare Performance Nutrition’s pumpkin spice whey protein contains 27 servings per container and can be purchased online.

M&M’s is adding a hint of cold brew to its signature milk chocolate candies.

The M&M’s Caramel Cold Brew sweets were formulated to offer consumers a combination of smooth, robust coffee flavors with sweet and chewy caramel, the company said.

“More and more coffee drinkers are exploring new flavor combinations, with cold brew ranking as one of Gen Z’s most purchased drinks. Mars’ M&M’s brand decided to tap into the booming cold brew coffee scene and pair it with a confectionary favorite — caramel,” said Allison Miazga-Bedrick, senior marketing director at Mars Wrigley. “The result? A fun twist to an on-trend favorite that delivers an exceptional coffee flavor experience, all within a classic bag of M&M’s — perfect to enjoy on the go while catching up with friends or sharing a taste of the M&M’s Caramel Cold Brew candies to make new ones.”

Consumers can find M&M’s Caramel Cold Brew candies at retailers nationwide beginning in February 2023 in single-size, share-size and sharing-size stand-up pouches with prices ranging from $1.19 to $4.99.