19 minute read
Industry News
from DSN-0821
by ensembleiq
P&G Unveils Quiet & Roar Personal Care Brand at Target
A new line of body care products from Procter & Gamble is offering essential oilbased products with a focus on eliminating potentially harmful ingredients. Quiet & Roar is the latest launch from the Cincinnati-based company that is targeted toward Gen Z and is launching exclusively at Target.
Citing recent numbers from the American Psychological Association, showing that 91% of Gen Z suffers from anxiety, P&G said Quiet & Roar is designed to offer a chance for relaxation as these shoppers look for proactive wellness solutions.
“We believe when you have the mental space to be the best version of yourself, you can give your best to the world, and that all starts with how you take care of your body,” said Isabel Pimentel, personal care brand vice president at P&G. “Creating mental space requires freeing our minds from the noise of everyday stressors and shifting our energy to soothe our soul. At Quiet & Roar, we are committed to creating products that engage your senses to help ease your mind while caring for your body.”
The lineup of products includes body washes, lotions and scrubs meant to engage the senses in the following varieties: • Relax with a blend of lavender and spirulina; • Renew with lemon blossom and mint; • Awaken with peach and green tea; • Soothe with coconut and banana milk; and • Revive with pineapple and kiwiberry.
All of the products retail for $8.99 at Target and on Target.com.
Ogden’s Own launched its newest canned cocktails just in time for summer. The Utahbased distiller introduced Madam Pattirini Gin and Tonic and Porter’s Whiskey Cola, which feature a twist on two classic mixed drinks, the company said.
“We’ve been thrilled to see how Ogden’s Own fans have embraced our canned cocktail line thus far, and we felt it made sense to expand the family with two takes on timeless cocktails that everyone loves, including our first-ever canned gin cocktail,” said Steve Conlin, CEO and co-founder of Ogden’s Own. “Consumption methods and preferences have transformed rapidly in recent years, but nothing beats a classic, even if it’s in a modern format. We’re delighted to welcome Madam Pattirini Gin and Tonic and Porter’s Whiskey Soda to our portfolio as staples for summer sipping, outdoor social events and anytime enjoyment.”
Madam Pattirini Gin and Tonic features carbonated tonic water, herbaceous flavors and citrus notes, including juniper, Sicilian lemon and Nigerian ginger while Porter’s Whiskey Cola contains classic Canadian whiskey with sweet and spicy notes.
Ogden’s Own canned cocktails retail for $3.39 per 12-oz. can.
Beauty by Imagination, Ampro Win Buyers’ Choice Awards at ECRM Hair Care Program
Beauty by Imagination won the Drug Store News/ECRM Buyers’ Choice Award for its Twist Line of curly hair products at ECRM’s Hair Care & Multicultural Hair Program in June. Ampro was a finalist for its Shine n’ Jam Magic Fingers Braid Gel.
The products were selected from dozens of entries submitted by participating suppliers. Buyers were able to evaluate each entry and cast their votes based on product packaging and innovation via the Drug Store News-branded Buyers’ Choice Awards section of the ECRM Connect platform.
“The two Buyers’ Choice Award Winners are a great example of the popularity of products for textured and braided hair,” said Craig Chmielowicz, ECRM senior vice president of health and beauty care. “Both have innovative products featuring eyecatching packaging designs that will definitely catch a shopper’s attention at the shelf.”
New York-based Beauty by Imagination develops some of the industry’s most recognizable and innovative brands and products, such as Goody, Wet Brush, Bio Ionic, Ouidad, Twist, Curls, Solano and Ace.
Its Twist brand was developed to serve all curl types at an accessible price point, with products retailing for less than $12. Twist products are moisture focused and fit into three moisture categories — essential, extra or ultimate — because waves, curls and coils need moisture to thrive. The products are designed to be mixed and matched across moisture levels for a fully customized routine. In addition, the products’ designs feature bold, graphic packaging to pop on shelf and create excitement at retail.
Memphis, Tenn.-based Ampro Industries was launched from the basement of Vogue Beauty and Barber Mart, a small beauty supply store located in downtown Memphis. It was there that the founder began manufacturing his own brand of hair products. In 1947, he named the line Ampro, which is short for American Products.
The company’s Shine n’ Jam Magic Fingers Braid Gel was created in 2019 via a partnership between Ampro and Stasha Harris, owner of Magic Fingers Studio in Brooklyn, N.Y. Harris is the star of “The Braid Up,” which can be seen on Amazon Prime, YouTube and Cosmopolitan.com.
Harris’ appreciation of Shine n’ Jam products led to a collaboration to create products for the braiding community. Additions to the line include a 4-oz. Edge Gel product, an 11.5-oz. Oil Sheen and a 12-oz. Setting Mousse. Most recently, Ampro added a salonsized 16-oz. Braiding Gel to the mix.
Garnier’s Whole Blends Goes Plastic-Free with Shampoo Bars
The latest product from Garnier’s Whole Blends line is underscoring the brand’s commitment to sustainability.
The new Whole Blends Shampoo Bar, formulated with less water, is sold in zero-plastic packaging.
Made to cleanse hair like a liquid shampoo, the bars are designed to nourish and leave hair looking shiny and healthy.
The Whole Blends Shampoo Bars, which are free of preservatives, silicones, soap and dyes, have a fast-rinsing formula that is 97% biodegradable and dermatologist tested for safety, the company said.
Available blends of the shampoo bars include: • Restoring Honey Treasures Shampoo Bar for dry and damaged hair; • Hydrating Coco and Aloe Vera Shampoo Bar for normal hair; • Softening Oat Delicacy Shampoo Bar for fine to normal hair; and • Strengthening Ginger Recovery Shampoo Bar for weak hair.
“At Garnier, we are deeply committed to shift the way the beauty industry operates and lead the change for all of us. The new Whole Blends zero-plastic shampoo bars are a huge milestone for the brand,” said Adrien Koskas, global brand president. “We are not only changing the face of hair care, but also helping millions of consumers across the U.S. to take #OneGreenStep and join us in our journey towards more sustainability. This is all part of Garnier’s commitment towards greener beauty for all of us.”
Colgate-Palmolive’s Softsoap Focuses on Sustainability with Foaming Hand Soap Tablets
Colgate-Palmolive is eyeing reduced plastic waste with its latest innovation for its Softsoap brand. The company has introduced Softsoap Foaming Hand Soap tablets and refillable, recyclable aluminum bottles, marking the first refill option in tablet form from a major U.S. brand.
To use, consumers fill the aluminum bottle with water, add a tablet and wait for it to fizz and turn into foaming hand soap. The starter kit, which includes the bottle and two tablets, uses 71% less plastic than a foaming 8.75-fl.-oz. hand soap bottle, according to the company.
Colgate-Palmolive said the launch is in line with its sustainability and social impact strategy, which has a goal of eliminating a third of the new plastics it uses as part of its transition to 100% recyclable, reusable or compostable plastic packaging by 2025. Within those goals, Softsoap is aiming to have all of its pump bottles be in recycled 100% post-consumer packaging by the end of 2022.
“As a brand found in 53 million North American households, Softsoap wants to make sustainability a household habit,” said Emily Fong Mitchell, general manager of North America personal care at Colgate-Palmolive. “The launch of Softsoap Foaming Tablets is a big step as we work to build a more sustainable, healthier future for all. Given our reach, we understand the impact of this step on the entire industry. We’re excited to be leading this change as the first major CPG brand to offer a refill option in tablet form.”
The tablets are sold in three scents — Sparkling Lavender, Lemon Fizz and Fresh Coconut. The Softsoap Foaming Tablet Starter Kit has a suggested retail price of $5.99. Refills, which contain three tablets, have a suggested retail price of $4.99. The product launched online at major retailers, including Walmart, on July 12.
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Health-Ade Cracks Open Line of Prebiotic Soda
Health-Ade is expanding beyond its popular kombucha offerings with Pop, a prebiotic soda line available in six flavors — pomegranate berry, lemon lime, ginger fizz, strawberry vanilla, apple snap and juicy grape.
To celebrate the launch of this new line, the Los Angeles-based brand is releasing a series of videos that pay homage to and poke fun at ’90s infomercials while emphasizing the benefits of its beverages.
“With this campaign, we hope to entertain and inspire people to stop accepting the crappy feeling they get after drinking traditional sugar-filled sodas, and to shake up their routine with something new,” said Charlotte Mostead, vice president of marketing at Health-Ade. “Health-Ade Pop is about having fun with what you drink, but also getting more function out of it. There’s no need for tradeoffs with Pop, you truly can have it all: good-for-your-gut prebiotics, detoxifying acids, and the delicious, totally craveable fizz of a refreshing soda. It’s soda, redefined.”
With Pop, Health-Ade is aiming to provide consumers with a low sugar, allnatural prebiotic beverage that contains a vibrant taste and bubble fizzle flavored with organic ingredients and cold-pressed juice, the company said.
“We have seen a dramatic increase in consumer interest in gut health over the past year as people begin to realize just how important gut health is to immunity and overall health,” CEO and co-founder Daina Trout said. “We wanted to offer our customers something that doesn’t compromise on taste and has legitimate gut health benefits, and Pop does just that.”
Health-Ade Pop is certified organic, vegan, gluten-free and non-GMO. Each beverage retails for $2.99 and will roll out at such retailers as Whole Foods Market, CVS Pharmacy and Walgreens, as well as online at Amazon.com.
FDA Approves New Shingrix Indication
The Food and Drug Administration has cleared Shingrix (zoster vaccine recombinant, adjuvanted) for the prevention of shingles, or herpes zoster, in adults aged 18 years old and older who are or who will be at increased risk of shingles due to immunodeficiency or immunosuppression caused by known disease or therapy.
Immunocompromised individuals are at greater risk of shingles and associated complications than immunocompetent individuals.
“We’re proud to offer Shingrix in the United States for the prevention of shingles in those who are immunocompromised, with FDA granting a broad indication for use in adults at increased risk of this disease,” said Thomas Breuer, chief medical officer at GSK Vaccines. “Older age and being immunocompromised are the most common risk factors for shingles disease. GSK is committed to this important patient population at increased risk for shingles disease and its complications by bringing them a vaccine option that can help prevent this painful condition.”
Shingrix — given intramuscularly in two doses — was initially approved by the FDA in 2017 for the prevention of shingles in adults age 50 years old or older.
“In addition to this new patient population, there are more than 100 million adults 50 years and older in the United States already recommended to receive Shingrix,” Breuer said. “We know many of these individuals missed recommended vaccines during the pandemic and we hope this can be a reminder to them to catch up on all their immunizations, including Shingrix.”
Bayer Obtains FDA OK for Kerendia
The Food and Drug Administration has approved Bayer's Kerendia (finerenone), a new drug indicated to reduce the risk of sustained estimated glomerular filtration rate decline, kidney failure, cardiovascular death, nonfatal myocardial infarction and hospitalization for heart failure in adult patients with chronic kidney disease associated with Type 2 diabetes.
“The patient population included in the trial that supported the approval of Kerendia were at risk of chronic kidney disease progression despite receiving standard-of-care treatment to control blood pressure and blood glucose,” said George Bakris, University of Chicago and lead study investigator. “In people with chronic kidney disease associated with Type 2 diabetes, physicians now have a new treatment to provide kidney protection.”
Kerendia launched at the end of July.
“Kerendia is the first and only nonsteroidal mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist proven to significantly slow chronic kidney disease progression and reduce cardiovascular risk in people with chronic kidney disease associated with Type 2 diabetes,” said Amit Sharma, vice president of cardiovascular and renal at Bayer U.S. Medical Affairs. “We are excited to bring this new kidneyfocused treatment to people living with this condition.”
Gaia Herbs Adds Black Elderberry Tonic
Natural herbal product manufacturer Gaia Herbs is expanding its lineup of immune-focused products that contain black elderberry. The Brevard, N.C.-based company has debuted Black Elderberry Tonic, which rolled out to retail in July.
The new USDA Certified Organic tonic uses a recipe for a traditional oxymel (an herbal elixir containing vinegar and raw honey) that includes organic raw apple cider vinegar, organic raw honey and organic acerola. It is free of preservatives, artificial sweeteners and added flavors. Gaia Herbs said the tonic is able to be taken from the spoon or incorporated into recipes, and offers a vegetarian option that is free of dairy, gluten and soy.
“We are excited to release our new Black Elderberry Tonic, utilizing our extensive scientific knowledge and over 30 years of herbal expertise, to deliver a delicious and convenient option for daily immune support that people can trust and feel confident about taking,” said Ryan Marek, Gaia Herbs vice president of marketing and e-commerce.
Gaia Herbs also is focused on transparency. The company’s Meet Your Herbs traceability program allows shoppers to enter an ID number from the back of the product and learn where the ingredients came from. Information includes details on how they were grown and harvested, as well as tests conducted to ensure quality and potency.
Gaia Herbs’ Black Elderberry Tonic has a suggested retail price of $14.99 for a 4-fl.-oz. bottle.
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Nature’s Bounty Launches Curated Combinations
Nature’s Bounty aims to take the questions out of daily supplement intake with its new Curated Combinations. The company launched the line of four personalized nutrition packs that include vitamins and supplements needed to address specific health-andwellness concerns. Each pack contains three to four pills that are taken daily.
Varieties include: • Daily Essentials, which features high-dose vitamin C for immune support and contains an advanced multivitamin for overall wellness and L-theanine for stress support; • Set the Foundation, which consists of CoQ-10, essential minerals, vitamin D and ginkgo biloba, that aims to tackle nourishment for the heart, mind and bones; • Master the Day, which contains super B complex, ginkgo biloba leaf extract and highdose vitamin C, that looks to support cellular energy, mental alertness and immune health; and • A Good Night, which highlights a drug-free combination that aids relaxation and contains melatonin, L-theanine and magnesium to support a restful night’s sleep.
“With 77% of consumers wanting to do more to stay healthy in the future, our Curated Combinations line will help give them the confidence, support and education they need when searching for vitamins and supplements catered to their personal wellness goals,” said Nimit Bansal, senior director of innovation at The Bountiful Co. “We want nothing more than to help people live the healthiest versions of themselves, and we’re excited to offer accessible mass personalization from a brand that people have come to trust and rely on.”
Nature’s Bounty Curated Combinations, available online at Amazon.com, will roll out at CVS Pharmacy, Walgreens and Rite Aid this year.
Lay’s Rolls Out Doritos, Funyuns Flavor-Swap Chips
Lay’s is putting a new twist on the classic potato chip by partnering with PepsiCo’s Frito-Lay division and introducing flavor mashups of Doritos Cool Ranch and Funyuns.
Known as part of the Flavor Swap lineup, the flavor combinations include Lay’s Doritos Cool Ranch and Lay’s Wavy Funyuns Onion.
“From local cuisine to restaurant favorites to fan-submitted flavor ideas, Lay’s has drawn inspiration from so many different places over the years to bring our fans joy through new and exciting flavor experiences,” said Melissa Miranda, senior director of marketing at Frito-Lay North America. “This time, we’ve partnered with two beloved Frito-Lay brands to give our fans an innovative, one-of-a-kind flavor experience like no other chip brand can do. We can’t wait for people to try these new Lay’s Flavor Swap flavors for themselves.”
Both Lay’s Flavor Swap potato chips will be available at grocery stores nationwide for a limited time in a 7.5-oz. size that retails for $3.79 and a 2.62-oz. bag that retails for $1.99.
FlavoRx, Fillmaster and FillPure have merged to become an integrated company called FlavorMaster, which will based in Columbia, Md.
The company noted that the motivation for the merger was the demonstrated success and rapid acceptance of the new FlavoRx Auto dispensing system. The technology automates both reconstitution and flavoring of liquid medications, saving pharmacists time and allowing parents to choose the best taste for their child’s medicine. “The FlavoRx Auto is a game-changing approach to time-savings and efficiency in the pharmacy,” said Stuart Amos, president and CEO of the newly formed FlavorMaster. “The rapid adoption of this technology, combined with the measurably positive impact it is having in pharmacies, made the decision to merge FlavoRx, Fillmaster and FillPure an easy one.” The FlavoRx Auto is installed in more than 2,000 pharmacies across the United States, including CVS Pharmacy, Giant Eagle, H-E-B, Kinney Drug, Publix and various Kroger banners.
Omnicell Acquiring FDS Amplicare for $177M
Omnicell is growing its portfolio of medication management solutions and adherence tools.
The Mountain View, Calif.based company has entered into a definitive agreement with pharmacy software solutions provider FDS Amplicare to acquire its business for $177 million.
The company said the acquisition would add FDS Amplicare’s financial management, analytics and population health solutions to Omnicell’s EnlivenHealth division, growing its pharmacy offerings meant to improve health outcomes and enable new clinical services. In particular, Omnicell said FDS Amplicare’s reconciliation, medical claims processing, payment collection and distribution, adherence-tracking, and store performance monitoring tools were among those that will complement EnlivenHealth’s existing offering.
Omnicell said the addition of FDS Amplicare’s solutions is expected to strengthen EnlivenHealth’s offerings to give pharmacies the tools and intelligence they need to manage, forecast and mitigate direct and indirect remuneration, or DIR fees.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the transformation to the new era pharmacy,” said Adam McMullin, FDS Amplicare CEO. “Pharmacies are responding to the growing demand for accessible, trusted community health care by stepping up their offering of high-value clinical services, such as vaccinations and point-of-care testing. As we looked at the best way to enable pharmacy and serve our customers, joining together with Omnicell’s EnlivenHealth division was clearly the best path to provide more innovative and comprehensive solutions designed to enhance the success of retail pharmacy today and into the future.”
EnlivenHealth has a growing business providing technology solutions that enable retail pharmacies and their health plan partners to improve medication adherence, increase quality measures and drive business results. FDS Amplicare’s population health management solutions are expected to help accelerate the combined entity’s growth in the health plan market, which continues to grow rapidly due to major economic and demographic trends, such as the aging population.
“FDS Amplicare adds strong new capabilities to our EnlivenHealth portfolio intended to drive clinical, workflow and financial growth opportunities for our growing base of pharmacy partners,” said Danny Sanchez, vice president and general manager of EnlivenHealth. “The addition of FDS Amplicare’s nationwide network of independent retail pharmacies significantly expands EnlivenHealth’s broad industry footprint centered on leading pharmacy chains. Equally important, this combination is expected to strengthen our offering of advanced digital technology solutions, empowering pharmacies and their health plan partners to ensure the lifelong optimal health of their patients and members while maximizing business results.”
The FDS Amplicare business that is being acquired had roughly $29 million of total revenue for the 12 months ended June 30. The transaction is expected to close in the second half of 2021.
