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July’s
Generic drug companies continue to face obstacles, but they are staying the course
The women’s health market is adapting to better meet women’s health needs
are further improving safety and comfort
TO P Q U A L I T Y
T R U S T E D B R A N D
VA L U E - D R I V E N S H O P P E R P R I C I N G
S U B S TA N T I A L R E TA I L E R M A R G I N S
As retail pharmacy retrenches, we have a bit of advice
“OUR REPORTER TALKED TO CONSULTANTS, PHARMACY ASSOCIATIONS AND INDUSTRY INSIDERS TO BUILD A LIST OF 10 STATES WITH A COMBINATION OF CHARACTERISTICS THAT COULD POSITION PHARMACIES FOR FUTURE GROWTH.”
If there is a word associated with retail pharmacy in recent years, it’s “reboot.” You could also use “restructure,” if you like. We’re not picky. The bottom line is that major retailers (and regionals) are taking stock.
Rite Aid has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and is reportedly closing hundreds of locations. Walgreens, too, has been restructuring to address changing realities and to improve its financial outlook. In addition to naming a new CEO, the company closed stores, cut staff and is eyeing the sale of some divisions.
And after profits fell 37% last year, CVS announced a restructuring plan to terminate certain initiatives as well as its intention to eliminate 5,000 jobs.
So what does all of this have to do with this month’s cover story? Plenty, actually. The way we figure it, companies have been forced to look at all aspects of the business—from staffing to SKUs—and store footprint is an important part of that. Our cover story (page 16) looks at states that have potential for pharmacies as they right-size their store count and reposition for growth.
Market conditions are tough, but Americans are getting older, leading to consumer demand for pharmaceuticals and other products and services related to health ailments. States with older populations tend to need more pharmacy services.
Age is just one factor to consider when evaluating potential markets, however. Others include population growth, employment levels, education and the competitive landscape. But perhaps the most critical variable in the mix is the state regulatory environment, which has a direct impact on revenue, profitability and staffing.
Naturally, these aren’t the only states that are promising, but the list gives retailers a nice place to start as they retrench and position themselves for the future. You’re welcome!
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Drug Store News has published a new guide that gives readers an insight into how technology and automation companies are leading the charge to offer innovative solutions to pharmacists.
Tasked with filling an increased volume of prescriptions to counseling patients, today’s pharmacists are busy as ever. And their role has never been more crucial. With only so many hours in the day, pharmacies are relying on automation and technology companies to lighten pharmacists’ workload and boost efficiencies so they can meet patients’ needs.
These pharmacy technology and automation companies are leading the charge to offer innovative solutions to help pharmacists successfully multitask. They are continually innovating and enabling pharmacists to practice at the top of their licenses.
To read how the tech and automation companies are helping pharmacists, follow the QR code that will take you directly to the guide.
Walmart announced a strategic partnership with Agritask, a crop supply intelligence company, to pilot a technology solution to enable sourcing managers to make more well-informed decisions on seasonal fruit crop yields.
The Agritask initiative aims to secure surety of supply, reduce food waste and guarantee fresh produce for shoppers. Pending the pilot results, the retailer may consider leveraging Agritask solutions and insights at scale for a second season.
The pilot will deploy Agritask’s remote sensing and data analytics tools to provide real-time insights on seasonal blackberry and cherry crops from select Walmart suppliers. These crops were selected due to their high sensitivity to temperature fluctuations and moisture levels. Through real-time monitoring, the collaboration will drive rapid response to adverse environmental conditions to better manage supply.
“Dealing with challenges in purchasing and planning accuracy in agriculture due to data discrepancies and environmental uncertainties can be tough. Agritask’s technology has the potential to fill vital information gaps that sourcing managers often face when predicting yield,” said Kyle Carlyle, vice president of sourcing innovation and surety of supply at Walmart. “Teaming up with Agritask enables Walmart to delve into more streamlined and sustainable sourcing practices, ensuring we consistently deliver fresh, high-quality products to meet customer demand.”
Target unveiled plans to roll out a new generative artificial intelligence tool to team members at all of its stores by August.
The tool, called Store Companion, is a GenAI-powered chatbot that can answer on-the-job process questions, coach new team members, support store operations management and more.
Store Companion’s goal is to make the teams’ jobs easier and allow them to work more quickly and efficiently. The initiative is part of Target’s strategic approach to using GenAI across its business.
“We know technology will continue to play an outsized role in the future of retail—for our team members, our guests and our business. With that in mind, we’re continually experimenting with new tools to make it even easier for our team to do their jobs and to bring more of what guests love about shopping at Target to life,” said Brett Craig, executive vice president and chief information officer at Target. “The transformative nature of GenAI is helping us accelerate the rate of innovation across
our operations, and we’re excited about the role these new tools and applications will play in driving growth.”
The Store Companion chatbot will be available as an app on store team members’ specially equipped handheld devices, providing immediate answers to their questions about processes and procedures. For example, team members can input prompts like “How do I sign a guest up for a Target Circle Card?” and “How do I restart the cash register in the event of a power outage?” and receive instructions and resources in seconds. The tool also serves as a store process expert and coach, helping new and seasonal team members learn on the job.
“Generative AI is game-changing technology and Store Companion will make daily tasks easier and enable our team to respond to guests’ requests with confidence and efficiency,” said Mark Schindele, executive vice president and chief stores officer at Target. “The tool frees up time and attention for our team to serve guests with care and to create a shopping destination that invites discovery, ease and moments of everyday joy.” dsn
HRG’s five notable products from June 2 4 1 3 5
Product introductions surged in June, reversing a downward trend for the last four months but continuing the volatile product development sector.
In June, suppliers introduced 243 products, which are 151 more items than the 92 they introduced in May. Waukesha, Wis.-based HRG reviewed 34 products in the health category, 159 items in the wellness sector and 50 in the beauty aisle to see which ones stood out as Products to Watch.
Here are the top five:
1. Theraflu-D Flu Relief Max + Nasal Decongestant Cherry
Theraflu-D Flu Relief Max Strength + Nasal Decongestant by Haleon provides multi-symptom relief using a powerful nasal decongestant ingredient in non-Rx oral form, the company claimed. The daytime formula includes acetaminophen, pseudoephedrine HCl and dextromethorphan HBr to relieve nasal and sinus congestion, fever, head and body ache, sore throat pain and cough. It comes in an 8-oz. bottle
2San LLC’s FaStep COVID-19 Antigen Pen Home Test is designed to make self-testing for the coronavirus easier utilizing advanced technology. The user-friendly pen design is FDA and EUA cleared, while the company said the test provides results in 15 minutes without the additional steps and components of traditional tests. One kit contains two tests.
Haleon’s Robitussin Cough Soft Chews cough relief has been formulated into a soft, chewable tablet. Designed for adults, the tablets contain dextromethorphan HBr and will provide up to eight hours of long-lasting cough relief, with no water needed, the company said. A bottle contains 20 tablets.
Astaxanthin Gummies with Vitamin C Berry Flavor
Kenvue’s Neutrogena Skin Hydration Astaxanthin Gummies with Vitamin C are formulated in collaboration with dermatologists to support smooth, hydrated skin from the inside out. The company claims the gummies are free of artificial sweeteners and made with colors and flavors from natural sources. One bottle contains 60 gummies.
Bayer Inc. said its Alka-Seltzer Fizzy Melts offers upset stomach relief in a new form for the heartburn category. The company claimed the tablets provide fast relief of heartburn, acid indigestion, upset stomach and sour stomach with no need for water. The product comes with 16 fizzy melts. dsn
Aging populations and favorable regulations make these 10 states ideal for retail pharmacy by
Mark Hamstra
s the U.S. population ages, consumer demand for pharmaceuticals and other products and services related to health ailments increases.
An estimated 84.7% of people aged 65 and older used a prescription drug during a 30-day window in 2019, the latest year for which data is available, according to Centers for Disease Control data cited by IBISWorld in its March 2024 Pharmacies & Drugstores report.
“The industry benefits from strong need-based demand for prescription drugs from this age demographic,” the report concluded.
Age is just one factor to consider when pharmacy retailers are evaluating potential markets for growth, however. Others include population growth, employment levels, education and the competitive landscape.
Perhaps the most critical variable in the mix is the state regulatory environment, which has a direct impact on revenues, profitability, staffing and other aspects of retail operations. As more and more states have sought to address the prescription drug reimbursement practices of pharmacy benefit management companies and tackle other issues that impact pharmacy operations, those states stand to become better suited for retail pharmacy growth.
“There’s a need for regulating PBMs and having transparent, cost-based reimbursement that you can count on,” said Joel Kurzman, director of state government affairs at the National Community Pharmacists Association. “That sort of stability is what makes a business proposition feasible.”
Jenni Zilka, president of Good Neighbor Pharmacy and senior VP of community and specialty pharmacy at its parent company, Cencora, and Phyllis Houston, VP of pharmacy enablement and performance at Cencora, agreed.
“Good Neighbor Pharmacy members’ businesses are expanding in the states/regions that support expanding the pharmacist’s scope of practice to include patient care services, as well as supportive reimbursement models that pay pharmacists for those patient care services in addition to prescription dispensing,” they said.
Based on those factors as well as the presence of health care deserts, the states that are best positioned for retail pharmacy expansion include California, Connecticut, Illinois, Montana, New Mexico and Washington. Following are brief overviews (in alphabetical order) of the market conditions in those six states and four others — Florida, Idaho, Iowa and West Virginia — that are among those suggested by Kurzman and other industry observers as potential areas where retail pharmacy may find conditions suitable for expansion.
California offers pharmacists expanded patient care opportunities and has established pathways for billing these services, such as vaccines, medication therapy management, point-of-care testing, birth control, smoking cessation, travel vaccines, chronic condition management, Naloxone, and HIV PrEP/PEP, said Zilka and Houston.
“All of this, combined with pharmacists’ ability to engage in collaborative practice agreements and receive reimbursement for these services, makes California an attractive market,” they said.
Aditya Kaushik, analyst at Coresight Research, said that even though California is among the states where the population has been declining, the average age of Californians is increasing, making it potentially more attractive to drugstore operators.
“Some of the states that are seeing exit migration are still opportunities for pharmacy expansion, because younger consumers are leaving, and older consumers remain,” Kaushik said.
By about 2030, people aged 65 and older are projected to outnumber children under 18 in the state, the Public Policy Institute of California reported, citing the state’s declining birth rates and longer life expectancy. However, this shift also raises concerns about the size of the state’s labor force, the PPIC noted.
Connecticut has one of the oldest populations, with a median age of 40.9, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, and it also generates a relatively high volume of revenues from its drugstores. This suggest that the Nutmeg State offers opportunities for retail expansion.
The IBISWorld report tallied 991 pharmacy and drugstore establishments in Connecticut, or 1.1% of the total in the nation. However, these locations generate 1.7% of total industry revenues.
In addition, the state holds promise for expansion because of recent legislative advancements, Zilka and Houston said. Connecticut Senate Bill 1102 permits pharmacists to administer various vaccines and HIV-related tests, while Connecticut House Bill 6768 authorizes them to prescribe emergency contraceptives, they explained.
“These measures enhance pharmacists’ ability to meet diverse healthcare needs,” they said.
Connecticut also has a high percentage of pharmacy deserts, Zilka and Houston pointed out. More than a quarter (26.5%) of the state’s 883 census tracts are designated as pharmacy deserts, they said, citing third-party data sources.
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The Sunshine State is home to a growing population of retirees, with 21.6% of the population aged 65 or older, compared with 17.3% of the U.S. population overall, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
This indicates a potential opportunity for retail pharmacy expansion, despite the relatively good health of Floridians. The state ranks 26th in terms of the percent of the population living with multiple chronic conditions, with 11.3% of residents reporting that they have three or more conditions, including arthritis, asthma, cardiovascular disease and diabetes, according to the United Health Foundation’s America’s Health Rankings report.
Kurzman said Florida has the potential to be a model for how states enforce its Prescription Drug Reform Act, which seeks to regulate PBMs. “We think that Florida has amazing potential to be a model for other states, if the follow-through is there,” he said.
Although Idaho has a relatively young population and a relatively low percentage of individuals with chronic diseases, the state is an example of one in which pharmacists can practice “at the top of their license,” said Kurzman.
“If I were a really clinically oriented pharmacist, I would see Idaho as a place to reach my fullest potential,” he said.
In 2018, for example, the state granted pharmacists prescriptive authority for more than 20 categories of medications. Idaho pharmacists already had the ability to prescribe other medications, including tobacco cessation aids, immunizations and others.
Coresight Research’s February 2024 Market Navigator report on the drugstore industry also listed Idaho as a state that was notable for its prescribing authority.
Idaho ranks 38th in state population and is 45th in terms of number of pharmacy and drug store establishments, according to the IBISWorld report.
Illinois’ population decline of 2.1% during the last three years is one of the highest in the nation, but it remains a viable expansion market for retail pharmacy as its population ages. It is still the sixth largest state by population and ranks fifth in the nation in terms of the number of pharmacy and drugstore establishments, according to IBISWorld, with 3,284 locations.
Residents of the Prairie State also have above-average annual income and above-average education levels, according to the
“Some of the states that are seeing exit migration are still opportunities for pharmacy expansion, because younger consumers are leaving, and older consumers remain.”
– Aditya Kaushik, analyst, Coresight Research
U.S. Census Bureau. Its 4.8% unemployment rate also is the highest in the nation, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Illinois also has made some recent legislative advancements that enable pharmacists to take on patient care services, said Zilka and Houston. Illinois House Bill 559 enables pharmacists to vaccinate patients and perform various tests, and Illinois Senate Bill 1344 allows them to provide HIV PrEP or PEP.
Iowa is another state that has a favorable operating environment for retail pharmacy, and has taken a proactive stance on many issues, said Kurzman.
The state’s Health and Human Services department conducts its own Medicaid rate survey every two years, he said, which helps keep close tabs on reimbursement issues. Kurzman said Iowa is on the leading edge of adopting legislation that is favorable to pharmacists.
Coresight Research’s Market Navigator report also cited Iowa’s collaborative drug therapy management protocol. Pharmacists and clinicians work together so that pharmacists have the authority to manage patient drug therapy.
The state’s population also skews slightly older, with 18.4% of Iowa residents aged 65 and up, compared with 17.3% of the U.S. population overall, according to U.S. Census Bureau estimates.
Although Montana’s population ranks 43rd in the nation, its residents are also among the oldest, with a median age of 40.2, the Census Bureau said.
Montana also is ideal for Good Neighbor Pharmacy members’ expansion efforts because of its independent prescribing authority for pharmacists, according to Zilka and Houston.
“The ability to prescribe medications for minor, self-limiting
conditions that can be diagnosed with CLIA-waived tests or are considered patient emergencies allows pharmacists to address urgent needs,” they said. “Additionally, the high percentage of pharmacy deserts in Montana underscores the critical role pharmacists can play in providing accessible healthcare services in underserved areas.”
They cited third-party research showing that 31.25% of the state’s 319 census tracts are designated as pharmacy deserts.
New Mexico also upports a broader scope of practice for pharmacists, said Zilka and Houston. They can prescribe hormonal contraception, provide tobacco cessation therapy, and dispense Naloxone. They are also authorized to conduct tuberculosis testing and manage HIV PEP therapy.
Zilka and Houston cited research showing that 35.13% of the state’s 612 census tracts are designated as pharmacy deserts.
With 405 pharmacies and drugstores, according to the IBISWorld research, New Mexico has about two pharmacies per 10,000 people.
The Evergreen State stands out because it was a pioneer in creating a payment pathway for pharmacy service reimbursement, said Kurzman. Washington set an example for creating a structure to compensate pharmacists for an expanded scope of practice, he said.
According to Washington’s State Pharmacy Association, the state passed a landmark law in 2015 that was the first in the country to increase patient access to medical care from pharmacists practicing within their scope of practice. This legislation removed a major barrier for pharmacists to bill commercial health plans for patient care services outside of dispensing medications, the association said.
Zilka and Houston described Washington as an excellent state for pharmacy expansion, where pharmacists can prescribe through collaborative practice agreements, manage medications and order and interpret lab tests.
“As another state with a high percentage of pharmacy deserts, there is significant opportunity for new pharmacies to fill current gaps in care,” they said, citing third-party data showing that 26.5% of the state’s 1,784 census tracts are designated as pharmacy deserts.
The population of West Virginia is among the oldest of any state in the nation, with a media age of 42.9, the Census Bureau said. It also has the distinction of having the highest rate of chronic disease of any state, with 21.1% of West Virginians living with three or more chronic health conditions, according to the United Health Foundation’s America’s Health Rankings report.
The state has been at the forefront of regulating pharmacy reimbursement in ways that are favorable for retail pharmacy, however, said Kurzman.
“A couple of states have truly led the way in creating reimbursement floors in different marketplaces—not just for Medicaid, but also the commercial market—using transparent, cost-based reimbursement models,” he said, citing not only West Virginia, but also Kentucky, and to a lesser extent, Tennessee dsn
Education and innovation are keys to keep sales bright
Consumers no longer slather on baby oil and bake in the sun. Aging baby boomers, regretting they eschewed sun protection in their youth, turn to SPF to stave off the signs of aging. More educated younger consumers learned at an early age to slather up.
Even with greater awareness of the benefits of SPF, skin cancer remains the most common cancer in America. One in five Americans will develop skin cancer by age 70. And unlike most forms of the disease, skin cancer risks can be lessened with sunscreens, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Mass marketers control the lion’s share of sun protection sales. While it is a smaller category than mass, prestige sunscreen sales rose 17% to $506.9 million in 2023, according to Circana. The mass market channel produced $1.7 billion in sales but only grew 2% over 2022. To maintain their dominance and grow the category, they must deal with two challenges— misinformation filtering into the market on social sites and inroads from specialty and direct-to-market competitors. Education is mission-critical for mass doors. Not only are pockets of the population still not tuned into the danger of the sun—especially Gen X men—but TikTok and other sites pass
on false information. The hashtag #toxicsunscreen has been viewed by billions of people.
A just-released study by the American Academy of Dermatology showed that 28% of 18-to-26-year-olds said they don’t believe suntans cause skin cancer.
Dermatologists are taking to TikTok to clear the air. “The accessibility of dermatologists on social media has led to the debunking of many sun care myths, such as the difference in need for SPF for individuals with darker skin tones compared to fairer skin tones, or that sunscreen is not necessary on cloudy days,” said Jasteena Gill.
Derms noted that the death of Jimmy Buffet from skin cancer raised awareness, but there is much more to do.
The mass industry is implementing strategies to keep sales bright and consumers safe.
Ulta Beauty features sun care products as part of its monthly “Skinfatuation” skincare items of the month. The retailer explains “why we love” each item and suggests who should use it.
CVS helps customers find brands by SPF on its website and in stores. The Skin Care Centers sport diagnostic tools to show skin damage and recommend products. The retailer has also eliminated the sale of products with SPF below 15.
At Edgewell, we strive to add joy to the everyday by infusing the per fect blend of pa ssion, innovation and individualit y into all of our personal care brands. We’re committed making extraordinary products that are not only fun to use, but also better for both our customers and our planet .
We make useful thing s joyful.
Spate search data shows what consumers are looking for in sun products. Mineral sunscreens were the number one searched term for the year ended March 2024 compared to the year before. Water-based sunscreen searches soared more than 200%, Spate said. Interest in chemical sunscreens is also escalating.
The top brands searched alongside mineral sunscreen by volume in the United States include Neutrogena, La Roche-Posay and Sun Bum. Neutrogena and La Roche-Posay were also searched regarding chemical sunscreen.
Mineral sunscreens typically include zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, which help reflect and scatter harmful rays. Chemical sunscreens partially absorb into skin to help prevent UV damage through a chemical reaction. A benefit is that chemical sunscreens usually don’t leave behind a white residue. According to the company, CeraVe Hydrating Sheer Sunscreen, launched in 2022, was the first brand to have the blend.
Walgreens’ website offers a questionand-answer format about sunscreens.
In addition, beauty consultants on the sales floor are trained in sun care.
The chain has a Dermatologist on Call feature for severe issues.
On the brand side, CeraVe launched a campaign called “The One Under the Sun” to promote wearing moisturizers with SPF. Modeled on a RomCom, the spot features a “matchmaker” dermatologist who helps a woman find “the one”—in this case, CeraVe’s Facial Moisturizing SPF.
CeraVe also sponsors the Sun Hero program alongside La Roche-Posay.
The Seaweed Bath Co. addresses interest in mineral formulas, “better for you” formulas and multifunctional products.
“We saw a white space in the market to launch products that are high-quality, reef-safe ingredients that work for all skin types,” said Allison Grossman, Seaweed Bath’s co-founder.
The brand recently expanded its sun lineup with a Clear Mineral Lip Shine SPF 20, a Hydrating Serum Stick SPF 50, a Super Sheer Face Serum and an Invisible Mineral SPF sunscreen.
mass market brands, according to Circana, are Neutrogena, Banana Boat, Coppertone, private label and Sun Bum.
The educational program, founded by board-certified dermatologist Dr. Amy Brodsky, provides healthcare professionals with a curriculum and resources to teach children about the importance of adopting sun-safe habits at an early age.
The latest CeraVe launches include one new SPF formula, CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 50. The lotion features a hybrid formula with mineral and chemical filters that provide broadspectrum protection, while its hydrating ingredients and ceramides help restore the skin barrier.
Australia’s Naked Sundays is making waves in the United States with its makeup primers, serums and SPFcontaining facial sprays. The brand is currently sold at Target.
Black Girl sunscreen is formulated for melanin-rich skin and has gained space in CVS, Target, Walmart, Walgreens, H-E-B, Ulta Beauty and Amazon. Shontay Lundy founded the brand in 2016 when she was frustrated with the white residue most brands left on people of color.
According to Circana, the top five mass market brands include Neutrogena, Banana Boat, Coppertone, private label and Sun Bum. dsn
Consumers are clamoring for natural beauty options, so build your planograms accordingly
By Taffel Sturgeon
Beauty may be only skin deep, but it can take some deep pockets to keep up with the latest trends and innovations in the personal care department. Because, let’s just admit it—what price vanity?
Beauty is a $55 billion industry, with 5.9% growth at the end of 2023, according to data and insights company SPINS, which collects product scan data in both conventional and natural retail channels.
The smash hit in personal care is the natural beauty sector, which SPINS says grew at an incredible 20.2% rate last year, far above the 4.1% gain seen for conventional products. While the natural segment is only 10% of the overall market, the fact that it is seeing such outsized relative growth should be of interest to retail pharmacies looking to latch on to the excitement—and sales—in their personal care aisles.
“The mass market is the dominant channel,” said Jessica Rubino, vice president of content at New Hope Network, which produces the Natural Products Expo trade shows connecting brands with retailers, “accounting for 41.6% of natural and organic beauty sales.”
That’s great news for retailers because the initial heavy lifting around consumer education and awareness has already been done in natural food stores and online. The natural beauty story is where brands are really seeing success connecting with consumers.
“Consumers today are more informed and conscientious about what they apply to their bodies,” said Constance de Grandcourt, marketing director North America for Vitry, the French brand founded in 1795 (no typo!). “They look for products that align with their values of sustainability, responsible sourcing and overall health.”
Gen Alpha is growing up. This demographic group was born after 2010, and they are now teenagers. Already, trendwatchers are identifying traits that set them apart.
“There is this refocus on genderless products that are inclusive and are for everybody,” said Alice Mintz, director of solution architecture at SPINS. “They’re tapping into
more neutral design aesthetics. Unisex scents for however you identify.”
Gen Alpha is also being raised with many central tenets of conscious consumerism.
“If indulgence for us was ice cream, for them it’s eye cream,” said Mintz. “They will be massively transforming the brand landscape.”
Protecting the planet is top of mind for conscious consumers as the climate crisis and the plastic patch come crashing down on rising generations wondering why their parents made things so ugly.
“Consumers care about the ecosystem,” said Mintz. “They’re seeking products that protect flora, fauna, farmers and their families.”
Certifications that transparently communicate commitment to Mother Earth show brand ethos that build trust—and return sales—among shoppers. At least a dozen different certifications are at play, from USDA Organic and vegan to B Corp. and the Leaping Bunny signifying no animal testing.
A report issued by SPINS in April 2024 noted a few retailer hacks for capitalizing on this trend. Among them: Suncare products labeled as safe for coral reefs are growing four points faster than those without the label. Certified USDA Organic products show five points of accelerated growth compared to products not labeled as such. Certified B Corps, denoting businesses built ethically, are seeing $30 million of growth in the natural beauty segment.
“We expect an acceleration to more sustainable ways of bringing products to market,” said Mintz. “Free from” is prominent on packaging in natural personal care SKUs. Natural beauty products labeled paraben-free, for example, are experiencing a whopping 19% growth, said Mintz.
Iconic nail-care brand Sally Hansen in late 2020 launched Good. Kind. Pure. This line of nail polish is plant-based, 100% vegan, and “16 free”—free from chemicals such as formaldehyde, phthalates, glycol and animal-derived ingredients. The conscious manicure lineup also contains sustainable bamboo and algae for improved nail health. To top off its green creds, some of the colors are clearly inspired by nature: Mother Earth, Elderflower Power and Eco-Rose.
“Good-for-you products,” said Celia Tombala kian, global vice president of Sally Hansen, “are becoming increasingly more important to consumers across all categories.”
Consumers today are more informed and conscientious about what they apply to their bodies.”
— Constance de Grandcourt, marketing director, North America, Vitry
Sustainable skinimalism—multipurpose products that simplify routines and reduce the number of products—is another hot trend.
One reason for Vitry’s longevity is a commitment to natural quality. Its Universal Caress Balm is suitable for face, body and hair tips and thus rings the bell on sustainable skinimalism. The product, which contains 95% natural ingredients, rates a perfect 100 out of 100 score on the Yuka app. Anything rated higher than 50 is considered “good” by Yuka standards.
“A high Yuka score reassures consumers that they are choosing a product free from harmful ingredients and beneficial for their skin and overall well-being,” said Vitry’s de Grandcourt, who added the company’s heritage is one of “offering better, cleaner, safer and more sustainable products.” dsn
Sally Hansen
Good. Kind. Pure. Vegan Nail Colour SRP: $13.49
100% vegan and 15-free, containing sustainable bamboo and marine algae.
Fieldtrip
Into the Blue Stress Less Moisturizer SRP: $18
Sustainably sourced with Indian wild indigo to calm and hydrate the skin.
Banana Boat
Kids Mineral Enriched sunscreen
Broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection, plus reef friendly—made without oxybenzone or octinoxate.
Vitry
Universal Caress Balm SRP: $31.93
95% natural ingredients, including shea butter, beeswax, mango butter, and sweet almond oil.
By Nora Caley
DSN’s Retail Excellence Awards recognize manufacturers for innovation in beauty
Consumers might be cutting back on some purchases, but they still see value in spending on makeup, hair products, fragrance and other beauty products. According to Circana, mass market beauty sales increased 2% in the first quarter 2024, compared to the same period in 2023. Skincare was the fastest growing category. Other hot products included face serums, tinted lip balms, hair wellness products and celebrity brands. Here are this year’s winners.
Known for its flagship brands L.A. Girl and L.A. Colors, Ontario, Calif-based Beauty 21 Cosmetics offers high-quality, affordable makeup. The company is committed to inclusivity and innovation, and L.A. Girl has earned a loyal following for its diverse range of cosmetics catering to all skin tones and preferences, including PRO.Conceal HD Concealers, eyeshadow palettes and long-lasting lipsticks.
The company annually launches 30 to 40 products in the eye, lip, face and nail categories. Earlier this year Beauty 21 Cosmetics launched the Glow Envy Collection of lightweight mousse formulas at Ulta, then launched Super Charged Mascara at CVS. Lip has been a big focus, and L.A. Girl Lip Sheer Tint Lip Balm is formulated with ingredients to condition, hydrate and add a hint of color with one swipe, per the brand.
Founded in 1986, Firstline is committed to embracing and accommodating the hair needs of textured-hair consumers. Today the Stafford, Texas-based company works to empower people to look good, feel good and embrace their authentic selves. Product lines include hairbrushes, combs, satin sleeping caps, fashionable accessories and styling tools. The brand portfolio includes Evolve, WavEnforcer, Camryn’s BFF, DriSweat and Sleek.
Recent product launches include the Evolve Triple Pro Styler Brush, Evolve Triple Pro Styler Comb, Evolve Shampoo Brush made from recycled materials, Evolve Laced Satin Bonnets, WavEnforcer Inked Curve Brush Series, WavEnforcer Classic Man Collection, WavEnforcer King Caps, and WavEnforcer Compression Cap. The items are functional, on trend and give consumers multi-tasking tools that make their day-to-day hair-care routines easy, the brand said.
Milani Cosmetics serves a multicultural customer base by offering an affordably priced, inclusive assortment of prestige-quality color cosmetics. The Culver City, Calif.-based company shows its commitment to inclusivity through its wide range of products, such as Conceal + Perfect 2-in1 Foundation + Concealer available in 45 different shades and more. Digital and social campaigns build awareness through brand advocates called “Milani Makers.” Recent launches include four new shades in the customer-favorite Fruit Fetish Lip Oil—Lychee Nectar, Honey Fig, Blackberry Agave and Coco Cacao. This summer, Milani will highlight its Make It Last Setting Spray.
Offering items for every family member, Okay Pure Naturals, a brand of Xtreme Beauty International, offers a diverse range of essentials ranging from hair care products—including shampoos, conditioners and styling aids—and specialized items for foot care, men’s grooming, baby care and even pet care. The Miami Gardens, Fla.-based company is showcasing three collections: the Miami South Beach Hair Care and Skin Care Collections inspired by the lively atmosphere of Miami’s South Beach; Men’s Curls & Waves Collection; and the Rosemary Scalp & Hair Strengthening Collection.
The innovation in Precious Mineralz Out Of Mountains brand is the use of halloysite, a nanotubular kaolin clay, as the delivery system for key ingredients including hyaluronic acid and peptides. The majority women-owned company mines and processes the clay from its own Northstar Mines in Eureka, Utah, where the company is headquartered.
The focus in 2024 is travel size products and new packaging, such as twist tubes for Protective Lip Balm and 2-oz. squeeze tubes for Renewing Face Cream and Restorative Hand and Body Cream. Consumers use the Eyelash Booster on their eyebrows, so the company will offer it in a 3.5mL vial with an application brush.
With a portfolio that includes personal care, haircare, skincare, bath and body and aromatherapy, Pura D’or formulates mostly unisex products using ingredients that are natural and organic when available. The products are manufactured in the United States in small batches, using responsibly sourced raw ingredients and recyclable packaging. Among the top sellers is the Anti Hair Thinning systems, with three lines targeting all stages of hair thinning.
This year Pura D’or, part of Orange County, Calif.-based Vital’s International Group, is launching multiple products that include advanced peptide complexes. The brand strives to offer pure formulas that are result driven and reasonably priced on a priceper-ounce basis. Also in 2024, Pura D’or is focusing on therapeutic, anti aging skincare, especially for the face. dsn
by Sandra Levy
Generic drug companies continue to face obstacles, but there is no substitute for the solutions they are implementing to meet the needs of customers and patients
According to the Association for Accessible Medicine’s 2023 U.S. Generic and Biosimilar Medicines Savings Report, patients and taxpayers saved $408 billion in 2022, up from 2021, which found $373 billion in generic and biosimilar savings. What’s more, generics and biosimilars have saved patients and the U.S. healthcare system $2.9 trillion in the past 10 years.
While the report is optimistic for the industry, it also cautions that growing challenges to a sustainable future for generic and biosimilar competition continue to rise.
Indeed, the generics industry is trying to balance new product launches with numerous challenges, including the need to ensure a consistent supply of critical products, pressure on margins, deflation and rising costs.
Executives from several generics firms acknowledge that there are abundant challenges, but they also emphasize their commitment to accelerate innovation to best serve their customers and patients.
The low price of many generic medicines has become a thorn in the side of the industry, and the consensus is that it has resulted in drug shortages.
Christine Baeder, president of Apotex Corp., said that she is most concerned with the overall sustainability of the industry.
“We need a robust and healthy generic marketplace for all generic drugs,” she said. “Medicines that sell for $1.00 a vial and a penny a pill result in a non-sustainable market. This translates to the potential for drug shortages. We need policy support that rewards a stable drug supply.”
Andy Boyer, Amneal’s executive vice president and chief commercial officer, generics, echoed Baeder’s sentiments. When asked, what is the greatest challenge the industry faces, Boyer said, “Rising costs and unsustainably low prices for many medicines, whether it’s a penny a pill for chronic care therapies taken every day to treat conditions like hypothyroidism or a dollar a vial for oncology injectables.”
Boyer emphasized that for years, the U.S. generics industry has
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The low price of many generic medicines has become a thorn in the side of the industry, and the consensus is that it has resulted in drug shortages.
seen an increase in the required spend associated with quality and compliance combined with persistent levels of high price. As a result, there has been an erosion of the viability of the markets for many of these medicines. The result has been meaningful product discontinuations and record-high supply shortages, Boyer added.
“In the context of cost inflation for API, labor and other input costs, chronic price erosion for lifesaving and life sustaining medicine is even more extraordinary,” Boyer said. “As a company, we believe strongly in access to affordable, essential medicines. At the same time, we believe there’s a relative equilibrium that is required to ensure that there are healthy pharmaceutical markets for all stakeholders.”
Boyer also pointed out that the relative stabilization in price erosion cited by many manufacturers over the last year is a result of the market simply not being able to afford lower and lower prices.
John Dillaway, executive vice president of Ascend Labs, couldn’t agree more that drug shortages portend the biggest risk to the generics industry.
“We have all seen and probably experienced some of the shortages that have occurred to date, some getting a lot of notoriety and others very little,” Dillaway said. “But the risk for both more and more serious shortages is front and center right now.”
Dillaway emphasized that the existing industry model favors no one, adding that there are too many generic companies gaining approval on the same molecules and too few customers for all of these approvals to be needed. “The results are what we expect: significant deflation, which will ultimately lead to product withdrawals and shortages,” he said.
Dillaway added that there are other factors coming into play, including deflation that contributes to financial underperformance and ROIs that will not justify investment into new product development.
“This too will ultimately contribute to shortages,” Dillaway said, noting that this impacts not only those on the manufacturing side, but retailers as well. “They are being forced to close, chains are dramatically reducing their numbers, and people are finding their retail drugstore options to be significantly less. Why? One factor is continued pressure on reimbursements. It’s not uncommon for retailers to actually lose money on some prescriptions dispensed. So, who ultimately loses from all this? All of us. Jobs are lost, businesses are less productive and health care is more of a challenge.”
Lastly, Dillaway said that there has been a lot of discussion about these issues, but not enough solutions. “Leaving things to their own resolution should not be the direction we embrace,” he cautioned.
Arun Menon, chief commercial officer of Somerset Pharma, concurs that drug shortages are a bane of the industry.
“The industry is facing challenges from all directions,” Menon said. “A primary concern remains the number of products under drug shortages. We hope that as the industry reaches a level of quality maturity there is more flexibility in allowing companies to allocate manufacturing resources, source alternative components
faster and through internal quality systems, expedite resources to answer the needs of the time. Patients and medical facilities not having access to drugs is the biggest challenge for our industry.”
Paul McMahon, president oral solids at Aurobindo Pharma USA, cited additional challenges that generics companies are facing, including logistical issues with global conflicts, port staffing issues, container availability and air and sea freight capabilities.
“The global supply chain crisis, with shortages affecting every industry, has forced us to look at new strategies to adapt to alternative materials procurement and transportation methods,” McMahon said.
He also pointed out that after four years of COVID, the industry has been severely impacted, and demand dislocation has been difficult to predict, resulting in the current antibiotics shortage.
Stepped up facility inspections by the FDA has created some supply disruption, according to McMahon, who said, “On top of that, inflation has been affecting many industries across the nation; however, generics is one of the few industries that is experiencing deflation, which is not a sustainable trend for the business.”
McMahon went on to say that Aurobindo has been able to leverage a strong vertically integrated supply chain where there is less reliance on CMOs and external suppliers for the company to continue manufacturing and supplying its products. “Aurobindo is uniquely positioned to manage supply chain risk by controlling all major aspects of the pharmaceutical supply chain,” he said. McMahon also believes that there should be greater
appreciation for the generic industry at large, for “the critical work we do in collectively producing nearly 90% of the nation’s drug supply, saving, sustaining and improving the lives of tens of millions of Americans, and more often than not, just pennies per pill.”
While faced with challenges, the generics industry executives interviewed provide evidence that their commitment to innovate will ensure that they meet customers’ and patients’ needs. For example, Apotex has invested more than $2 billion in research and development over the past decade.
This year, Apotex is focused on diversifying beyond generics to provide consumers with more options for medicines and innovative health products.
Amneal is not sitting on the sidelines when it comes to innovation.
Amneal continues to invest in operations, product pipeline, processes and systems. “That allows Amneal to be the best and easiest in the industry to partner with,” Boyer said, adding, “We remain focused on providing the most complex and impactful products for customers, such as naloxone nasal spray. Amneal is committed to developing, manufacturing and commercializing its broad and leading portfolio of affordable medicines.”
Somerset Pharma also has plans in place to catapult ahead.
Menon said, “We continue to be a reliable supplier for the business that we support and also be a backup supplier during drug shortages to ease the pressure on the pharmacies and medical facilities.”
To see our full product portfolio spanning across varied therapeutic categories, please visit us at aurobindousa.com
Extensive portfolio of more than 250 API products across various categories such as anti-infectives, peptides, biosimilars, vaccines, polymers and more.
Robust product portfolio comprised of over 225 product families including oral solids, topicals, injectables, ophthalmics and inhalations.
Serve over 125 countries globally and include 17 API facilities with continuous expansion of our operations to meet our customers’ needs.
Designed to handle high speed packaging, in-line labeling and printing for bottles, blister packs, prefilled syringes, and multi-dose vials, while maintaining automated filling systems, tablet counters, along with a state-of-the-art vision system.
567,000 sq ft warehousing and distribution space provides capacity of up to 40,000 pallets, enabling increased safety stock, service levels, and order fulfilment to our customers.
With a portfolio of products that are expected to get FDA approval over the next one to two years, Somerset is well positioned to help alleviate drug shortages and continue to service areas of the market that traditionally see supply challenges, namely injectables and ophthalmics, Menon said.
Dillaway said Ascend is focusing on two initiatives that will help customers and patients.
First, through coordination with Alkem, its parent company, Ascend is bolstering its inventory positions upward and is committed to holding more finished products in the United States. “We have plenty of capacity and will be employing that by adding production personnel,” Dillaway said.
The second initiative has Ascend using unique programs, including AI, to identify items that may become short in the market in an attempt to fill those needs.
Aurobindo also is no stranger to innovation. In fiscal year 2024, Aurobindo led the market in final approvals, receiving 67 ANDAs, and the company successfully launched and relaunched 57 products.
McMahon also pointed out that in order to keep up with demand and continue to set itself apart, it is critical for Aurobindo to have highly competitive costs and product availability.
Among the new launches Aurobindo is adding to its pipeline are specifically cough/cold products, which include enalapril suspension and oseltamivir phosphate oral suspension, which is the generic of Tamiflu. The company also is launching its second nasal spray, mometasone.
“The company is continuing to grow in a sustainable manner and successfully deliver billions of doses of medicine every month to its customers and patients,” McMahon said.
Where is the generics industry headed? Perhaps Dillaway best summed up the sentiments of other executives DSN spoke to: “We will be redoubling our efforts to stand out as a strong supplier and hopefully impact potential shortages in a positive way.” dsn
The women’s health market is adapting to better meet women’s health needs
by Nicole Stempak
Women constitute the majority of the population in the United States, so why does most of what we know about health still pertain to men?
Being female can be a risk factor for certain diseases or conditions, pose barriers to research and can cause diseases and conditions to present differently.
Seen this way, the lack of understanding about women’s bodies and research focused on them is a public health issue. It perpetuates health care disparities, a lack of information and continues to dismiss or ignore women’s concerns.
The increasing attention on women’s health and research is long overdue, said Kaleigh Harlow, brand manager of OTC selfcare and wellness at Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, which owns the women’s maternity wellness brand Premama.
“It’s exciting that this focus and emphasis across the board is finally being placed on women and their needs, because it varies,” Harlow said. “To have that research finally being done is good, and I think there’s a lot more room to grow.”
Brittany Dedman, director of sales and marketing for Pamprin, heartily agrees.
“Where it once felt like women’s health issues were both taboo to discuss and ignored, it now feels like women are pushing for a societal conversation around them,” Dedman said. “It’s amazing
“There is a real thirst for information— exemplified by the TikToks women are creating to deliver information they have found, helping to raise the discussion in the overall zeitgeist..”
– Leslie Rainer, senior worldwide marketing director of Intimate Health at Combe
to see an influx of chatter, and we hope that translates to more research for women and, consequently, solutions for issues.”
Women’s health needs change throughout their lives, partly due to changing hormone levels. Now, as women are more vocal about what they want—nay, demand—from the market, it’s an opportunity to rethink product offerings, displays and women’s health altogether.
Dedman said the market is significantly different today, in part because there are more products catered specifically toward women. Let’s explore some of these products and health concerns by life phase.
In the United States, most girls experience menarche, or their first period, between the ages of 10 and 16. One product that can make menstruation easier is a discrete period kit.
“It’s embarrassing when you’re at that age,” said Tara Thompson, Pharm.D. and vice president of clinical services for Revelation Pharma.
Victoria Ruter, head of brand for MenoLabs at Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, recalls that she wasn’t given much education about the changes happening with her body in health class.
“When I was growing up, you didn’t talk about puberty.
You had a class on sex ed in maybe eighth grade. It was 30 minutes. Everybody was uncomfortable, even the teacher, and that was it.”
Harlow said it’s important to help women, especially young women, identify if they have a nutrient deficiency, hormone imbalance or other condition that could be making menstrual cycles more painful. Some conditions have been underdiagnosed and under-researched, but there’s been more of an effort to address them.
Women spend much of their life menstruating. For most of that time, they are not planning to have children so contraception reduces the risk of pregnancy.
In the event of unprotected sex or concerns about contraceptive efficacy, women can also take oral emergency contraceptive pills for a certain amount of time (usually 72 hours) after sexual intercourse. Most brands are available without a prescription.
Women’s preventive contraceptive options have greatly expanded to include birth control patches, vaginal rings, injections or intrauterine devices. However, these products have all required seeing a healthcare provider, either to prescribe, administer or insert the contraceptive. But in spring 2024 the FDA approved the first OTC oral contraception, Opill.
When women are trying to conceive, there are OTC ovulation tests as well as apps that can help track peak fertility.
For women who become pregnant, there is a lot of attention on prenatal vitamins and supplements to make sure both she and the developing fetus are getting all the nutrients they need.
From their mid-30s to mid-50s, women begin perimenopause, when the body produces less estrogen, causing the menstrual cycle to become irregular. Perimenopause can last from one to several years, and women usually experience a variety of symptoms.
“It’s like, ‘sorry, you’re going through The Change, and you just have to tough it out,’ but that’s not the case anymore,” Thompson said. “There are medications that can help dampen those vasomotor symptoms [also known as hot flashes and night sweats] a little bit to where women can actually have a better quality of life during that transition period.”
Hormone replacement therapy can help with the downstream effects of lower estrogen levels, which leads to decreased lubrication of the vaginal mucosa.
There are other non-hormonal OTC products that can make perimenopause and menopause easier, such as probiotics and prebiotics that help boost immune health and collagen.
“VMHS Women’s Health is nearly a $2 billion annual business and growing faster than the total vitamins category,” said Kimberly Vigliante, senior vice president of sales and marketing for Nature’s
Truth. “The category surpassed $12 billion in 2024, which is a $3 billion increase from pre-pandemic. Usage is up 34%.”
Women experiencing menopause have been underserved for too long, Ruter said, but more companies are working to change that.
“It all starts with understanding women’s intimate health and personal care concerns and needs.” said Leslie Rainer, senior worldwide marketing director of intimate health at Combe, the maker of Vagisil.
By 2025, there will be about 1.1 billion women worldwide who are postmenopausal. One area getting attention is sexual health.
“Men have had erectile dysfunction medications for years,” Thompson said, referring to the drugs remelanotide injection (Vyleesi) and flibanserin (Addyi), which treat hypoactive sexual desire disorder. “[Before the FDA approved these drugs in 2019], women have never had a solution for low libido or hypoactive sexual desire disorder.”
Thompson also is watching the OTC space for new products that help with other menopausal symptoms, such as lubricants and moisturizers that can decrease some of the symptoms associated with vaginal dryness.
Ruter acknowledges women may initially feel uncomfortable speaking up about their changing bodies, but it’s empowering and comforting to learn they’re not the only ones experiencing these symptoms.
Women represent a majority of the population, and they have more purchasing power than ever before. On average, a woman spends more than $20,000 over her lifetime to address perimenopause and menopause symptoms and find relief, Ruter said. Dedman hopes the increased attention on women’s health helps to transform the space and lead to better health outcomes.
“I hope companies understand the weight of it, though, and truly seize the opportunity to do research and launch great products, rather than just try to use it as an opportunity for monetization,” she said. dsn
Join us for the sixth annual Top Women Awards as we celebrate the exceptional women who are shaping and changing this industry.
The DSN Top Women in Health, Wellness & B eauty program applauds and recognizes women for their exceptional contributions to both their companies and communities. S ave the date and celebrate these extraordinar y health, wellness, and beauty industr y.
New introductions are further improving safety, comfort and ease of use by
Debby Garbato
The 1980s saw the launch of the first blood glucose monitors for at-home use. This revolutionized diabetes care, making self-monitoring a standard practice. Advancements continued, with high-tech products like insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitors. Use of insulin pen needles has grown as well, with devices becoming easier and more comfortable to use.
CGMs are wearable devices that have become the gold standard. They allow patients to monitor and control insulin and blood sugar 24/7. They can be smartphone-connected, allowing test results to be sent to medical providers and alarms that warn patients of unsafe blood sugar levels. The North American CGM market is valued at $6.2 billion, according to MarketsAndMarkets.com. It is expected to hit $14.8 billion by 2028.
The North American market for insulin pens was estimated at $11.99 billion for 2024, with pens often replacing syringes as the delivery vehicle of choice, Mordor Intelligence said. Pen needles continue to see advances, with products becoming shorter, thinner and more comfortable to use. By 2029, the market is expected to reach $14.87 billion. Patch pumps are also becoming more refined, with newer products eliminating
tubing and holding more insulin.
“In the past five to 10 years, we’ve become more efficient at medication delivery,” said Drew Massey, director of pharmacy operations at Fruth Pharmacy in West Virginia. “Technology wise, we’re able to monitor and diagnose quicker, allowing people to be more compliant, with more doctors writing prescriptions for CGMs.”
Dr. Henry Anhalt, chief medical officer at Embecta, said new developments are happening more rapidly than ever. “We’re in a wondrous time and we’re seeing all these advances coming faster and faster,” Anhalt said. “Technology has evolved beyond delivering insulin to incorporate decision support tools. Devices have connectivity, allowing data to be sent through the cloud or via Bluetooth.”
One of the newest monitoring products is Intuity Medical’s POGO Automatic Blood Glucose Monitoring system. The compact device consists of a cartridge housed inside a hand-held monitor. When users place their finger on the device, it takes a blood sample and automatically provides a reading in one simple
BD NanoTM 2nd Gen Pen Needles have a unique ontoured ase to help compensate for too much injection force, a common challenge for patients injecting insulin.1*
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BD NanoTM 2nd Gen Pen Needles are estimated to educe nt muscul nject n sk y 8x vs 4mm posted base pen needles.2†
Intramuscular injections have been shown to lead to nc e sed p n nd e te sk yp lycem . 3
*N=230 patients with diabetes across Canada. Participants answered a survey as part of the cross-sectional observational behavioral study. BD helped fund this study. † The study used in-silico probability model of needle penetration depth for posted-hub 4mm pen needles and average human tissue thickness measurements across a range of injection forces and recommended sites, pooled across gender and BMI.
1. Bari B, Corbeil MA, Farooqui H, et al. Insulin injection practices in a population of Canadians with diabetes: an observational study. Diabetes Ther. 2020;11(11):2595-2609. . Rini C, Roberts BC, Morel D, et al. Evaluating the impact of human factors and pen needle design on insulin pen injection. J Diabetes Sci Technol. 2019;13(3):533-545. 3. Frid AH, Kreugel G, Grassi G, et al. New insulin delivery recommendations. Mayo Clin Proc. 2016;91(9):1231-1255. embecta, formerly part of BD. BD is the manufacturer of the advertised products. embecta and the embecta logo are trademarks of Embecta Corp. BD and the BD Logo are trademarks of Becton, Dickinson and Company. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. © 2023 Embecta Corp. All rights reserved. BD-85393
step. Massey believes it is one of the most innovative products to come on the market. “You don’t need lancets or alcohol, so you don’t have to carry all that stuff around,” he said.
POGO is a step up from traditional blood glucose monitors, which Dave Yamauchi, VP of marketing at Intuity, describes as “cumbersome.” He added, “People must manage three components per kit [meter, lancing device and test strip] and perform more than 15 steps to get a result. The patient must insert a tiny test strip into the meter, prepare the lancing device, prick their finger, squeeze the blood onto the test strip and safely dispose of used, blood-contaminated components.”
Though CGMs are beneficial, Yamauchi believes traditional CGMs require people to insert a sensor under the skin and attach an electronic device to their body for several weeks. Devices use adhesive, which doesn’t always stick or can cause skin irritation. POGO, however, automates the testing process.
Intuity recently partnered with online pharmacy HealthHavenRx, making it easier for people to access POGO
Automatic and use their insurance online, said Yamauchi. The product is covered by Medicare Part B.
Both Yamauchi and Massey believe POGO should particularly benefit older patients, who often have dexterity challenges.
Insulin delivery has moved way beyond traditional syringes, with many patients embracing insulin pens, tubed or patch insulin pumps. Embecta has submitted a 510(k) filing to the Food and Drug Administration for a patch pump, a disposable tubeless insulin delivery system that adheres to the skin and provides continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion.
This device, currently in front of the FDA, has a reservoir that holds 300 units of insulin. “It’s an important differentiator for those requiring higher doses of insulin, such as people with Type 2 diabetes,” said Dr. Anhalt. The company is also developing a closed-loop version of its patch pump, which will use an algorithm.
Recent years have also seen an uptick in pen needle improvements, including smartphone connectivity and introduction of smaller, thinner needles.
A smart insulin pen has a app that can help better manage insulin delivery by calculating and tracking doses and providing helpful reminders, alerts and reports. Since pens are less painful to use, compliance is generally high, said Massey. He also
believes people are more likely to use a smartphone app than they are to write down and record details.
Pen needles are also becoming smaller. At HTL-Strefa, Chris Woeste, vice president of sales, North America, described the company’s Droplet Micron as “the world’s shortest pen needle.”
The 34-gauge needle is 3.5 mm long. “It provides a painless or nearly completely painless injection,” he added. “People feel they will be more compliant with their treatment regimen as a result. Droplet Micron has done well in clinical trials.”
Owen Mumford offers a 4-mm, 32-gauge pen needle. Owen Mumford’s Unifine Pentips incorporate three beveled needle tips to reduce penetration force while thin wall technology improves drug flow for a low delivery force. And silicone provides a lower glide force for a gentle injection experience, reducing friction between needle and skin. This affords smoother entry and removal of the needle.
Diabetic wound care has also seen innovations. “Advances in technology have vastly improved the lifestyles of people living with diabetes,” said Geolyn Gonzalez, chief sales and marketing officer at Total Resources International. “Standard wound care has evolved so much over the years, from traditional to now.”
Total Resources’ Silvex Nano Silver Wound Gel contains 24 ppm of patented Nano Silver technology. It creates a barrier for skin protection that lasts up to three days. It can be used on minor cuts as well as for more severe injuries like diabetic ulcers and post-operative wounds.
“Diabetic foot ulcers are complex wounds that do not heal immediately and need advanced materials and techniques,” said Gonzalez.
Products are offered under the Tender Lovin’ and Be Smart Get Prepared labels.
For people with diabetes, smart devices do not solve every problem, particularly the emotional ones that arise for people living with a serious, chronic disease. But ongoing technological innovations should continue to make their lives less arduous and help them achieve better outcomes. dsn
By David Orgel
The 2024 election. An uncertain economy. Global conflicts.
Those are big topics for this year’s second half. Food and drug retailers, however, don’t have much control over them. You need to look deeper to identify areas in which retailers have control and are actively pursuing near-term initiatives.
I’m excited about these five areas in the second half because they are quickly evolving, and retailers are playing important roles.
1. Private Brands Get “Better”
Retail private brands are on a roll due to their value allure and increased acceptance by consumers. Retailers are increasingly introducing new offerings and enhancing existing lines. A case in point is CVS Health, which recently launched Well Market, a new private label consumables brand that realigns an existing program and plays up nutritious options and new flavors. Also notable is Walmart’s recent launch of bettergoods, a new private brand focused on enhanced culinary experiences.
2. New Strategies Battle Theft
Retailers are pulling out all the stops to combat growing theft challenges in stores. Their asset protection solutions include initiatives that leverage emerging technologies. Walgreens drew a lot of attention last year when it converted a downtown Chicago store impacted by robberies into a hightech prototype geared to boosting asset protection efforts and meeting customer needs. The retailer is continuing to evaluate and adapt this prototype. Meanwhile, Sam’s Club has moved quickly to roll out AI-powered exit technology at 20% of its membership warehouse clubs after introducing the new solution in January. It resolves a key member concern—waiting in line for receipt verification to exit the clubs.
3. Community Engagement Targets Schools
Retailers have been focusing more community
efforts on schools—even well ahead of the back-to-school season. Walmart is working with Box Tops for Education to make it easier for shoppers to support schools. Shoppers can give back to their selected schools by connecting their Walmart account in the Box Tops app. Meanwhile, retailer/wholesaler SpartanNash has increased its education scholarship levels in the second year of its Our Family Scholarship program, which rewards students for community involvement in the company’s operating areas.
4. Sustainability Momentum Accelerates
Retailers have been pursuing unique sustainability initiatives geared to their local operating areas. Canadian food retailer Metro recently signed a deal with electric vehicle charging provider FLO to install fast-charging ports at 130 stores in Ontario and Quebec. The Giant Co. has teamed with Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful to award $100,000 from its Healing the Planet grant program for tree plantings across Pennsylvania. The focus on programs such as these
David Orgel is an award-winning business journalist, industry expert and speaker. He is currently the principal of David Orgel Consulting
make it likely that individual retailer efforts will collectively add up to meaningful results.
5. Retail Media Advances
Retail media networks have helped enhance engagement opportunities for brands and shoppers. Much of the latest excitement is around partnerships built to further drive the programs. Dollar General’s media network is partnering with commerce media company Criteo; Giant Eagle is linking its network to the third-party Rippl data and media collective that helps advertisers target audiences; and Save Mart has partnered with Quad/Graphics for digital sign technology. We should expect to see more partnerships and momentum ahead as retail media programs further develop.
These five topics are very different, but they share some similarities. In each case, retailers are pursuing strategies unique to their own needs and beneficial to their customer bases. We should watch how these topics play out in the near-term to better understand what is working and where retail is headed. dsn
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Making affordable medicines for good health shouldn’t harm the environment. At Dr. Reddy’s, our commitment to the planet lies at the heart of all that we do. We manage our anufacturing and business activities within a sustainable framework: from zero liquid discharge and zero hazardous waste to landfill initiatives, to reducing packaging, green chemistry, and process innovation. Minimizing the environmental impact of our business operations is our top priority because Good Health Can’t Wait.
