Content about OTC

NEWARK, N.J. — Inergetics on Monday announced its partnership with Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia to create Martha Stewart Naturals, a line of six supplements that will launch this fall.

“We believe Martha Stewart embodies healthy living and well-being, putting that same philosophy in everything she does," stated Mike James, CEO Inergetics. 

NEW YORK — The Food and Drug Administration's temporary stay pending its appeal of a district court decision ordering all levonorgestrel-based emergency contraceptives be available without a prescription and without any age restrictions was extended through May 28 by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit on Monday. 

The Second Circuit will entertain the appeal on that day. 

NEW YORK — Senior U.S. District Judge Edward Korman on Friday denied a Food and Drug Administration motion for a stay pending an appeal of Korman's earlier decision that all levonorgestrel-based emergency contraceptives be available without a prescription and without any age restrictions. 

However, Korman did grant a stay "pending the hearing or submission of the defendants’ motion for a stay in the Court of Appeals on the condition that the motion for a stay be filed by noon on May 13, 2013."

SHELTON, Conn. — Actively promoting an over-the-counter medicine outside of the retail box not only drives foot traffic, but it helps increase sales across households with a higher income and also more heavily indexed OTC product consumers, TABS Group CEO Kurt Jetta told attendees of a webcast covering a recent TABS Group Consumer Value Study. And while passively promoting at the shelf also pushes sales higher, the return on promotional investment is not nearly as robust.

YARDLEY, Pa. — FidoPharm on Thursday announced the launch of a complete line of pet supplements under the VetTrust brand. The line features 14 products that focus on some of the most common pet health concerns including joint health, ear care, skin and coat care, and general health and well-being.  

Success in the mass market can be an uphill battle for some niche brands as retailers trim selection, bolster private-label offerings and pass on smaller brands they perceive as higher risk. However, retailers also are increasingly looking to distinguish themselves from the competition, whether it is through exclusive offerings, customization or in-store services. This has given rise to the importance of business development organizations, master brokers, regional brokers, and sales and marketing consultants in helping niche brands navigate the path to retail.

AKRON, Ohio — With the successful launch of Purell Advanced hand sanitizer last year, Purell Consumer has helped bring some excitement back to the category.

Sales of Purell's core brand were up 28% to $31.1 million across total U.S. multi-outlets for the 52 weeks ended March 24, according to IRi, with Purell Advanced adding more than $10.3 million.

NEW YORK — The Winning Combination on Wednesday launched a new green-friendly protein powder to be packaged in a 100% compostable, recyclable canister under the brand Bodylogix. According to the company, the line of protein powder offers active, health-conscious men and women a way to take care of their bodies and the environment at the same time. 

NEW YORK — A pharmacist in Queens has received accolades for giving out vitamins to children whose families can't afford them.

New York television station NY1 earlier this year named Nina Shamayeva, owner of Austin Pharmacy in the Forest Hills neighborhood, as its "Queens Person of the Week" for her free vitamin program, whereby children younger than 12 years old can receive a free bottle of chewable vitamins each month for a year. "A lot of people cannot afford to buy vitamins for their kinds," Shamayeva said.

AKRON, Ohio — TripAdvisor on Wednesday named Purell Advanced Hand Sanitizer "best hand sanitizer" as part of the travel site's second annual Travelers' Choice Awards for Travel Favorites.  

The awards honor top brands travelers across select global markets prefer to use on their trips. In the U.S., there were 21 winners in categories ranging from cameras to sunscreen and carry-on luggage. Winners also were announced in the United Kingdom, France, Germany, India, Italy, Spain and Russia.

SAN FRANCISCO — Stayhealthy on Monday named Iz-On Media the company's exclusive advertising sales, content and programming representative for the Stayhealthy HealthCenter kiosk network. 

The agreement creates an advertising convergence between health and wellness and grocery, Stayhealthy stated. 

WASHINGTON — The Food and Drug Administration may soon find itself in another Plan-B-generated quandary — the complications around granting a three-year marketing exclusivity for a medicine that is both prescription-only and over-the-counter, according to an FDA Law Blog posted Sunday by Hyman, Phelps & McNamara.