US OTC drug and supplement firms’ reports of results for the first three months of 2024 began on April 19 with P&G. JP Morgan analysts say while “some retailers in the US in particular” are reducing consumer health inventories, for the overall sector they expect “a healthier balance of positive volume and lower pricing contribution.”

A “great consumer response” to TheraTears in the UK leads Prestige Consumer Healthcare to add TheraTears 5-in-1 Irritation and Redness eye drops to the range.

Attacks on shipping since November in the Red Sea lead shipping lines to re-route vessels south of Africa, spiking shipping costs. Perrigo began 2024 saying it expects sales of Opill oral contraceptive to start early in the first quarter, but now expects to start late in the quarter.

Larger consumer health firms are “looking to move-the-needle opportunities, which are big brands, big categories, different regions than we compete in as part of their business objective,” says CEO Ron Lombardi as PCH reports revenues down slightly from year-ago period at $286.3m.