Speakers from the EMA and European Commission, as well as Pfizer and HRA Pharma, debated at the AESGP's Regulatory Conference the ongoing digital transformation of the European consumer healthcare market, the latest developments in the implementation of the new medical devices regulations, and the best ways to encourage Rx-to-OTC switching across the EU.

Poland's ministry of health is calling for codeine, dextromethorphan and pseudoephedrine to be reverse-switched from OTC to prescription status in response to abuse of the drugs by adolescents. At the same time, an academic paper argues Ireland should restrict codeine to prescription-only sale to combat an addiction epidemic "verging on eruption."

Aspirin should be used very selectively in the primary prevention of artherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, according to new guidelines from the American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association. While certain higher-risk adults may benefit from regular, preventative aspirin use, those over the age of 70, and any at increased risk of bleeding, should explore lifestyle changes, the groups say.

While Rx drug pricing is under attack by Congress, White House and consumer and public health advocacy groups, OTC drugs' value isn't gaining a higher profile. "Our health care system undervalues the contribution of our industry's products," says CHPA chief Scott Melville. Trade group conducts “Value of OTC Medicines" study for reasons including raising the profile of consumer health products in the US health care system.

European self-medication association AESGP is one of several European pharmaceutical industry bodies to have lent their backing to the latest European Commission strategic approach to pharmaceuticals in the environment.

Zur Rose adds French online retail platform Doctipharma as two board members resign over “differences of opinion” with regards to the firm's growth strategy.

Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Mich., is taking another swing at legislation to require cancer warnings on talc-containing cosmetics marketed to children if they have not been determined asbestos-free via transmission electron microscopy to FDA’s satisfaction.

The mega-retailer has been quietly growing its selection of private-label and Amazon-exclusive brands, recently adding Fast Beauty Co., which targets affordable, fast-acting masks to consumers on the go.

Personal-care and cosmetic product trademark filings compiled from the Official Gazette of the US Patent and Trademark Office, Class 3 – Cosmetics and Cleaning Preps.

P&G’s introduction of Waterless hair care in South Africa, where water is a precious commodity, marks the first new retail hair-care brand for the firm in four years. Meanwhile, liquid-free DS3 shampoo, body wash and other personal-care swatches, available now for pre-order, support P&G’s sustainability goals while representing attractive cost efficiencies.

In a March 5 statement, FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb included labeling disclosure of known cosmetic allergens among elements that could be included in a modernized system for cosmetics oversight. The agency’s planned consumer survey, designed to assess “allergy to cosmetics,” could help to inform exploratory steps in that direction.

The jewelry and cosmetics retailer announced March 11 that it is voluntarily recalling selected lots of three makeup products due to the “possible presence of asbestos fibers.” FDA issued a safety alert the previous week that has made Claire’s the latest poster child for cosmetics regulatory reform.

FDA advised Hanna’s Herb Shop to discontinue drug claims for more than a dozen Kroeger herbal supplements, including “decrease dementia” or tackle “hypertension.” Separately, agency sets a date for its “Responsible Innovation” meeting for regulating the vitamin, mineral and supplement industry.

"You begin to see FDA telegraphing that this is important. That was lacking in the past two budgets," said Mike Greene, Council for Responsible Nutrition's chief congressional liaison. White House's budget request recommends $67m increase from FY 2019 to $1.4bn for FDA's food industry programs in CFSAN, which includes the Office of Dietary Supplement Programs, and for the Office of Regulatory Affairs' related field activities.

Germany's BPI is warning consumers to be wary of unapproved health claims made by botanical foods and supplements.

Peru's Ran Forest launches in US; Rebbl Collective takes on climate change, human trafficking; Napa Hills sparkles with resveratrol; more Forslean in Le-Vel's Thrive DFL; LeanLife expands testing pact with Ecovatec; and PureFormulas deploys Linc Global e-commerce tech.

While Rx drug pricing is under attack by Congress, White House and consumer and public health advocacy groups, OTC drugs' value isn't gaining a higher profile. "Our health care system undervalues the contribution of our industry's products," says CHPA chief Scott Melville. Trade group conducts “Value of OTC Medicines" study for reasons including raising the profile of consumer health products in the US health care system.

Zentiva has signed its first acquisition after it was carved out from Sanofi last year to become an independent company, entering into a shared purchase agreement with Siyiara to acquire Romania-based food supplement and OTC medicines producer Solacium.

While Rx drug pricing is under attack by Congress, White House and consumer and public health advocacy groups, OTC drugs' value isn't gaining a higher profile. "Our health care system undervalues the contribution of our industry's products," says CHPA chief Scott Melville. Trade group conducts “Value of OTC Medicines" study for reasons including raising the profile of consumer health products in the US health care system.

Romanian self-care industry association, RASCI, provides HBW Insight with an exclusive viewpoint on the country's OTC market in 2018. 

 

Common thread between the manufacturers and retail chain operators offering their own and other brands extends to relatively recent executive suite shakeups following extended stretches of declining sales growth. GNC reported nearly $70m net income for 2018 after two years of net losses and Vitamin Shoppe trimmed its loss by more than $200m from 2017 to $12.1m.