New Products

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — Social media was the biggest topic of discussion as regional retail pharmacy executives from around the country gathered last month for the Southern Drug Stores Association's annual meeting.

As Seen On TV products have become a powerhouse general merchandise category. Products backed witha substantial television advertising move year-round with sell-through rates that industry sources say range from 10% to 30%. Several chains have upsized the space they devote to 
the category.


New products are crucial to the category, and manufacturers keep new items flowing to retail. The pet category, housewares and personal care products have been particularly strong segments within the category.

For branded drug makers, the pharmaceutical patent cliff has never loomed higher or steeper. The exposure of so many of the world’s biggest-selling medicines to generic competition for the first time is redefining the pricing model for many of the most widely prescribed classes of pharmaceuticals — reducing costs for health plans, payers and patients; scrambling drug makers’ balance sheets; and potentially boosting both drug utilization and adherence rates as reduced out-of-pocket costs induce more patients to fill their prescriptions.


CHILLICOTHE, Mo. — MidWest Quality Gloves has introduced a new Max Performance line of work gloves. The new product has design features based on the company’s customer research, including a suede leather palm with padded palm patches, a spandex back, fourchette finger design and an elastic wrist. The new features are designed to provide a form-fitting, high performance product. Suggested retail price on the gloves is $9.99.

LOS ANGELES — Earlier this summer Hyland’s introduced its Leg Cramps Ointment to complement its line of homeopathic Leg Cramps tablets. Expect the leg cramp market to grow. According to one study, about half of all seniors suffer from leg cramps — they’re more common in women (56%) than men (40%). And two drug classes with strong links to leg cramps include diuretics and the inhaled long-acting B2-agonists 
(e.g., Advair, Serevent, Symbicort).

Sales of hair spray experienced a slight lift during the 12 weeks ended July 8, according to SymphonyIRI Group, as beauty mavens continued to turn to styling products to achieve a desired look and lock it in place.


The mouthwash segment experienced a slight uptick, as formulas that offer multiple benefits catch consumers’ attention — a trend that is likely to continue as consumers increasingly seek value.

Among those shining stars that experienced double-digit growth is ACT Total Care, according to 52-week data from SymphonyIRI Group, a Chicago-based market research firm. 

ACT Total Care is an alcohol-free formula that promises to strengthen teeth, help rebuild enamel, prevent cavities and freshen breath.

NEW YORK — The nail color segment continues to experience double-digit growth as beauty mavens go for daring colors and bold, creative nail art. The nail art craze is now hitting the at-home gel manicure systems. Red Carpet Manicure has unveiled new limited-edition nail 
art kits. There are three kits available — Tips and Tricks, French Manicure and Gems and Jewels. Meanwhile, SensatioNail by Pacific World has developed the new SensatioNail Magnetic Gel Polish and the Glitter & Color Gel Polish duos.