Recently, in Europe and Japan there have been increased Rx-to-OTC switch approvals and an environment fostering switch. The OTC men’s health category is growing in Europe, with the switch approval of Recordati’s Fortacin (lidocaine 7.5mg/prilocaine 2.5 mg) spray for premature ejaculation, via the centralized switch procedure through the European Medicines Agency. This drug marks the fifth medicine approved for switch through this centralized regulatory body, and it is expected to be launched throughout the EU on a nonprescription basis by early 2021.
Author Archives: Laura Mahecha, Industry Manager
Cleaning Needs in the Foodservice Industry are Rapidly Changing
The restaurant industry has been one of the hardest hit by the coronavirus pandemic, with government shutdowns leading to an estimated 8 million unemployed restaurant workers and thousands of temporary and permanent restaurant closures. Yelp estimates that approximately 16,000 restaurants have permanently closed due to COVID-19 lockdowns, and some project that the industry lost as much as $80 billion in the first two months of shelter-in-place orders. Continue reading
Post-Lockdown: Hygiene and Food Safety Compliance is More Crucial Than Ever
As some coronavirus lockdowns are being lifted across the United States, restaurants are gradually reopening. Some are operating indoors with limited capacity, others offer outdoor dining, and some are selling food for delivery and take out. One thing they all have in common is that cleaning frequency has increased dramatically, and hygiene standards are more important than ever. Continue reading
Sales of Supplements Surge in 2020
Overall, the U.S. market for nutritional supplements is up nearly 15% so far in 2020 as consumers seek to protect their health with immune-enhancing products. All segments of the market increased by double-digit growth rates, with particularly high gains for vitamins A, B12, C, D, iron, magnesium, zinc, echinacea, and elderberry. Continue reading
Personalization Trend Enters the Vitamin Market
American consumers are increasingly using personalized subscription services for clothing, beauty products, and meal kits—plus vitamins and nutritional supplements. In a category worth more than $10 billion—with as much as 75% of the population regularly consuming supplements—the sheer number of available products and brands can be confusing. That’s why personalization makes sense, as it helps consumers navigate a somewhat perplexing category. Continue reading
Staples Sets its Sights on Larger Janitorial Cleaning Accounts
About a decade ago, Staples started carrying select cleaning products in its stores to help offset declining sales and low margins on some office supplies being sold. These products were largely targeted at small- to mid-sized commercial end users in office and professional settings, such as office managers. Therefore, the product mix was mainly surface wipes and restroom cleaning products. Continue reading
Will the FDA’s OTC Monograph Reform Foster Innovation Including Increased Rx-to-OTC Switch Activity?
After years of the OTC industry and the Consumer Healthcare Products Association working with the FDA to pass long-overdue OTC monograph reform and regulatory modernization, long-sought-after reform is now a reality thanks to the CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security) Act. The act, which was passed by the U.S. Congress and signed into law by President Donald Trump on March 27, 2020, provides more than $110 million over five years for the FDA to significantly increase capacity and expertise in the Office of Nonprescription Drug Products. Continue reading
I&I Professionals Value Sustainable Cleaning Solutions
Results from Kline’s large-scale survey of professional cleaning end users conducted with nearly 1,100 respondents indicate that green/sustainable cleaning products are important and valued among these customers.
- 69% of those surveyed perceive green cleaning products to be equally or more effective than traditional cleaning chemicals.
- 48% of the sample are willing to pay up to 20% more for green cleaning products, compared to traditional cleaning chemicals.
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- There appears to be more willingness to pay a premium for sustainable cleaning products among education, government, foodservice, and hospitality end users.
- 59% rely on third-party green certifications on product packaging or websites to identify green cleaning products, while significantly less importance is placed on brand name, images, advertising, or promotions.
Nutritional Supplements Gain During Coronavirus Outbreak – But Can The Market Sustain a Recession?
The COVID-19 pandemic has consumers scrambling to do more than kill germs on hands and surfaces. Amid the chaotic situation of out-of-stock shelves for cleaning products, hand soaps, and paper products, consumers are seeking ways to bolster their immune systems by eating more whole foods, increasing rest, and exercising. As a result, the nutritional supplements category is witnessing a strong surge in demand as customers turn toward multivitamins, single-letter vitamins, and specialty supplements. For one, Vitamin C products have seen a strong uptick in sales, as have other specialty supplements such as elderberry, zinc, and echinacea.
COVID-19: What’s the Future for Commercial Cleaning Professionals’ Usage of Hand Care and Disinfectants?
While the world contends with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and much of the United States shelters in place, there have been strong surges in consumer demand for hand sanitizers, hand soaps, and disinfectants. In fact, Nielsen reports that during the first week of March 2020, consumer sales of hand sanitizers were up 470% compared to the same week of 2019.* Some suppliers of hand sanitizers indicate they expect to sell typical annual volume within only two to three weeks during the pandemic. Continue reading