DSN-0623

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PHARMACY-PHYSICIAN SYNERGY

Pharmacies can close gaps in patient care, improve health outcomes and cut costs

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Important Safety Information: InPen™

The InPen™ is a home-use reusable pen injector for single-patient use by people with diabetes under the supervision of an adult caregiver, or by a patient age 7 and older for the self-injection of a desired dose of insulin and for calculating an insulin dose or carbohydrate intake based on user entered data. A healthcare professional must assist in dosage programming of the device prior to use, based on various patient-specific criteria and targets. The InPen™ requires a prescription. For additional product and safety information, please consult the Instructions for Use and bit.ly/InPenSafety.

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PHARMACY-PHYSICIAN SYNERGY

NEW: EXPANDED BEAUTY CONTENT!

18 INSIDE BEAUTY: SKIN & BATH CARE

Ingredient-Infused Success

Whether driven by TikTok or dermatologists’ recommendations, consumers are on the hunt for buzzy ingredients in bath and skin care products

22 INSIDE BEAUTY: NAIL CARE REPORT

Nail-Care Renaissance

The category is taking a skin care-level approach when it comes to seasonal trends

26 PHARMACY: TECHNOLOGY & AUTOMATION

Tech Standouts

Meet the pharmacy technology and automation companies that help pharmacists juggle their responsibilities

34 PHARMACY: VACCINE REPORT

A Shot in the Arm

Retail pharmacies could reclaim success by proactively addressing three of today’s most significant challenges

38 HEALTH: DIGESTIVE HEALTH Developments in Digestive Health

Distinct customer segments are purchasing different products for their digestive health needs, while keeping an eye on specific ingredients

Doctors Versus Pharmacists

The gulf between the two groups is widening at a time when we need them to collaborate

By Nigel F. Maynard

In 2020, the American Medical Association opposed a declaration from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that allowed pharmacists and pharmacy interns to administer vaccines to children between three and 18 years old.

At the time, the federal agency said the expanded scope of practice was necessary to reverse the recent drop in childhood vaccination rates due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but AMA President Susan R. Bailey, MD, countered that COVID-19 is not a reason to do an end-run around scope-of-practice laws. Allowing pharmacists to administer vaccinations is the wrong solution, Bailey said.

The skirmish is only the tip of the iceberg of a larger issue that is brewing between retail pharmacy and the medical community in the United States. As retail pharmacy attempts to transform into a healthcare destination and seeks expanded scope of practice, the fight between the two entities is likely to intensify.

Other countries are facing the same issues.

In April, The Guardian newspaper reported that after a successful pilot project the state of Queensland, Australia, passed a measure to allow pharmacists to prescribe medicines for uncomplicated urinary tract infections. The paper reported that other states, such as New South Wales and Victoria, are developing their own pilots so pharmacists can administer medicines (such as health and travel vaccinations) and prescribe drugs for skin ailments, ear infections and birth control. But similar to here, the Australian Medical Association said allowing pharmacists to prescribe a wider range of medicines is a threat to patient safety and undermines the health system.

Our cover story this month (page 14) takes a look at the gulf that exists between doctors and pharmacists and explores ways the two sides can bridge the gap. Doctors worry about the quality of care, while pharmacists stress that they are not trying to supplant primary physicians but merely act as a bridge between physicians and patient care.

Studies show that a collaborative approach to healthcare is the most effective, and our already underperforming and stressed system will require all parties to collaborate and cooperate moving forward. Our health depends on it. dsn

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EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD

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Doug M. Long, IQVIA

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STUDIES SHOW THAT A COLLABORATIVE APPROACH TO HEALTHCARE IS THE MOST EFFECTIVE, AND OUR ALREADY UNDERPERFORMING AND STRESSED SYSTEM WILL REQUIRE ALL PARTIES TO COLLABORATE AND COOPERATE MOVING FORWARD.

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CVS Health is enhancing Project Health, the company’s free, community-based health screening program, by adding mental health screenings to its services and entering two new areas: Greensboro, N.C., and Petersburg, Va.

“Our events now serve more communities than ever, tapping into our CVS Pharmacy footprint and a vast network of local organizations to host our mobile units and help ensure transportation is not a barrier to receiving health services,” said Sheryl Burke, senior vice president of corporate social responsibility and chief sustainability officer. “We’re also broadening our services to include mental health screenings as we continue to see a need for accessible mental health care across the country.”

CVS Health plans to host nearly 2,000 Project Health screening events across the U.S. in 2023. The company hosts these events at CVS Pharmacy locations and community organizations, offering free biometric screenings, including blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose level and body mass

Walmart opens first market fulfillment center in Arkansas

CVS Health expands mental health screenings

index to detect early risks of chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension and heart disease.

The screenings will now also offer PHQ-2 assessments, screenings to help identify people who require additional evaluation for depression. Following these screenings, participants can meet with a nurse practitioner who can provide referrals for treatment and advice on follow-up care.

For nearly two decades, Project Health has brought free health screenings and resources to people across the country, focusing on areas of significant need and populations that have been historically under-resourced. In 2022, 82% of people who received care at a Project Health event identified as a race other than white/Caucasian, while 68% reported a household income below $50,000. The program hosted nearly 1,700 events nationwide last year and provided $5.5 million in free medical services.

Walmart has opened its first high-tech Market Fulfillment Center in Arkansas at Store 100 in Bentonville, underlining the retailer’s strategic move toward expanding the use of its stores as fulfillment centers.

The Market Fulfillment Center is built within the store and is powered by a storage and retrieval system named Alphabot. Walmart said it believes fulfillment through digitization and connecting its store and supply chain assets end to end will transform fulfillment, customer satisfaction and associate opportunity.

“This new order fulfillment system is truly game changing,” said Ryan Simpson, store manager at Store 100. “Not

only does it enhance the customer experience through quicker, more accurate online order fulfillment, it also provides us the runway to continue growing our business now and in the future.”

Walmart said customers can expect to see the MFC’s benefits almost immediately. MFCs will significantly increase the number of orders the store can fulfill daily, promising faster fulfillment with lower substitutions. Additionally, Walmart+ members have the option of free unlimited delivery.

In addition to improving the customer and member experience, it will also benefit associates, the company said. Associates can expect more time to focus on what’s important, including serving customers and supporting each other. In addition, working with the Alphabot system presents new leadership jobs in stores, like the newly created MFC lead, and opportunities to learn and teach new tech-forward skills.

“We’re innovating toward an even better shopping experience every day, and on every platform,” said Prathibha

Rajashekar, senior vice president of innovation and automation at Walmart. “To help our customers and associates live better, we’re using technology to help them save time. That leads to improved experiences for everyone, no matter how they shop—and moves our entire business forward in the process.”

New & Noteworthy

HRG’s five notable products from May 2023

Product introductions fell sharply in May amid renewed concerns about the economic climate over the next year. Though inflation fell for the ninth straight period in April, for the month of May suppliers introduced only 89 products, which is half of the 178 new items they released in the previous month. Waukesha, Wis.-based HRG reviewed nine products in the health category, 48 in the wellness sector and 32 items in the beauty aisle to see which ones stood out as Products to Watch. Here is what they found:

1. NasoClenz Nasal Cleansing Kit

Silicon Valley Innovations said its NasoClenz is an antiseptic cleansing kit for the nose. Designed to be used at home or on the go, it offers a simple alternative to rinses and sprays. The kit contains cleansing wands that are alcohol-free with a non-staining antiseptic gel. The product’s potential uses include seasonal allergies, CPAP users, during travel or nasal hygiene. It comes in a travel pack.

2. Cetaphil Healthy Renew Day Cream SPF 30

Cetaphil Healthy Renew Day Cream SPF 30 by Galderma Laboratories is designed to hydrate and smooth the look of fine lines while protecting skin from damaging UV rays. The formulation includes highly purified peptides, vitamins B3 and B5 and botanical extracts to hydrate for up to 48 hours, the company said. It comes in a 1.7-oz. bottle.

3. Airborne Immune Essentials Gummies Orange

Reckitt’s Airborne Immune Essentials Gummies were developed for immune support with 400mg of vitamin C, antioxidants and an herbal blend, the company said. The gummies have a streamlined formula for everyday use and come in a 132-ct. bottle.

4. Dr. Scholl’s Odor-X Probiotic Foot Spray

Scholls Wellness said that its Dr. Scholl’s Odor-X Probiotic Foot Spray is formulated with a blend of essential oils to provide a naturally derived solution for persistent foot odor and to cool and soothe feet. The company claimed that the spray will immediately eliminate odors while also restoring the skin’s healthy microbiome with probiotics to rebalance the bacterial environment on feet. It comes in a 4-oz. spray.

5. Neuriva Ultra Capsules

Neuriva Ultra Capsules by Reckitt were designed to offer seven benefits, the maker said: mental alertness, reasoning, concentration, memory, learning, focus and accuracy. Reckitt said the formulation is backed by science and includes naturally sourced and clinically tested ingredients such as cognivive, neurofactor, phosphatdylserine and vitamin B6 and B12. It comes in a 60-ct. bottle. dsn

PHARMACY-PHYSICIAN SYNERGY

Pharmacies can close gaps in patient care, improve health outcomes and cut costs

BY MARK HAMSTRA

Collaborative models for patient care in which pharmacists and physicians work closely together in the best interest of patients have proven effective but are often elusive.

The accessibility of community pharmacies, pharmacists’ expertise around medications and the conditions they treat make them ideal venues for monitoring patient health in coordination with physicians.

A report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention about the potential for deeper pharmacist-physician collaboration noted that community pharmacists are often much more accessible to patients than doctors, mainly because 86% of Americans live within five miles of a community pharmacy. By providing medication assessment and counseling and lifestyle management recommendations, pharmacists can improve patient outcomes, especially when it comes to chronic conditions such as

Rick Gates Chief pharmacy officer Walgreens

cardiovascular disease or diabetes, the CDC reported.

Among other opportunities for collaboration cited by the CDC were:

• Health assessment in the pharmacy and subsequent referral to a physician for diagnosis or treatment;

• Physician referral of patients to the pharmacist for assistance with medications or chronic condition management, and

• Pharmacist triage of patients into primary care after identifying medicationrelated problems or other health conditions that arise or worsen.

Another recent report from consulting firm Deloitte outlined opportunities for pharmacists to play a greater role in public health, in part through better collaboration with the physicians who treat their patients.

“If more pharmacists were to operate to the full potential of their professional education and skill sets, they could play an important role in elevating the well-being of health care consumers, in alignment with Deloitte’s ‘Future of Health’ vision,” the Deloitte report concluded.“In this future, we expect health care to emphasize prevention over treatment, and care to increasingly take place in the home or community. As some of the most accessible and trusted health care professionals, pharmacists can help people stay healthy, better manage their chronic conditions, and age in place.”

Rick Gates, chief pharmacy officer at Walgreens, echoed this perspective on the key role that pharmacists play in providing holistic patient care.

“As the most accessible healthcare providers in thousands of communities, Walgreens pharmacists are uniquely positioned to help improve patient outcomes and fill critical gaps within the U.S. healthcare system,” he said.

As frontline healthcare providers, pharmacists have demonstrated that their support is critically needed, Gates added. The COVID-19 pandemic shone a spotlight on the greater role that pharmacists can play in patient care, he said.

“During the pandemic, our community pharmacies were the front door to healthcare, bringing patients into the public health system and Walgreens ecosystem and exposing them to care opportunities they may not have previously known or experienced firsthand,” said Gates.

Keys to Collaborative Success

Creating better avenues for two-way communication and information sharing are among the keys to the success of pharmacist-physician partnerships, according to retail pharmacy leaders.

“Communication can sometimes be a challenge, especially when we are limited to phone calls or faxes with a provider’s office,” said Sara Couture, manager of pharmacy clinical programs, Hannaford Supermarkets. “It takes time and resources to make the outreach and keep each other informed. However, we know it’s a worthwhile investment.”

Access to patient records is another challenge that retail pharmacists face when collaborating with physicians.

“In general, pharmacies and pharmacists have the least amount of information from the electronic health record of their customers available to them,” said Karen Staniforth, senior vice president and chief pharmacy officer, Rite Aid. “Most pharmacies do not have access to electronic health records, and this lack of information can make it difficult to engage with prescribers as fellow clinical experts.”

Advancements in technology are helping to solve these communication- and information-sharing shortfalls, she said.

“Communicating between pharmacies and physicians’ practices continues to be an area of opportunity,” said Staniforth, noting that Rite Aid has implemented technology

“WALGREENS PHARMACISTS ARE UNIQUELY POSITIONED TO HELP IMPROVE PATIENT OUTCOMES AND FILL CRITICAL GAPS WITHIN THE U.S. HEALTHCARE SYSTEM.”

to help close this gap through secure electronic messaging between Rite Aid and physicians’ practices. “This helps the pharmacy team communicate issues with prescriptions directly to providers for clarification or required changes.”

Another key challenge to more coordinated care among pharmacists and physicians is that both doctors and their patients may not fully understand the role that pharmacists can play in patient care, according to the CDC report.

“Pharmacists’ education and training fully prepares them for participation in and contribution to team-based care, disease management and the provision of wellness services,” the report concluded. “However, pharmacists’ skills may be underused, as patients and physicians are not always aware of the extent of pharmacists’ training and qualifications.”

Payment silos inherent in the system—the distinction between medical insurance coverage and pharmacy insurance coverage—are another key barrier to collaboration, according to Deloitte.

the ways Rite Aid pharmacies and pharmacists collaborate with physicians:

• Rite Aid’s specialty pharmacy, Elixir, dispenses medications to members with complex conditions and works closely with manufacturers and physicians on correct usage.

• Rite Aid is collaborating with Department of Health physicians to help expand access for critical conditions such as testing and prevention related to sexually transmitted infections, as well as flu, strep and COVID rapid testing.

• The retailer partners with local physicians to help customers convert their medications to 90-day supplies and encourage medication adherence.

• Rite Aid also partners with health plans on value-based care models to provide customers with increased access to high-quality health care in the appropriate setting at the right time. Through these collaborations, Rite Aid seeks to address gaps in care, leverage technology to track care, communicate

“Existing payment models that assign greater value to the product dispensed than to clinical services that improve patient outcomes are perhaps the biggest barrier to pharmacy business model innovation,” Deloitte concluded in its report. “The segregation of medical and pharmacy benefits creates disincentives for payers and providers to consider pharmacy as a component of care.”

Retailer Efforts Around Collaboration

Retail pharmacies continue to advance their efforts to establish more cooperative relationships with the doctors who issue prescriptions for their patients.

Staniforth said Rite Aid’s pharmacists collaborate with other medical professionals in a variety of ways. She described pharmacists as a “critical liaison” between Rite Aid’s customers and physicians, especially older customers or customers with chronic health conditions. Among

“BY COLLABORATING, RITE AID PHARMACISTS ENSURE CUSTOMERS HAVE ACCESS TO THEIR MEDICATIONS AND GET THE MOST OUT OF THEIR TREATMENTS.”

Karen Staniforth

Senior vice president and chief pharmacy officer Rite Aid

with physicians and share data securely to deliver positive customer outcomes.

• Rite Aid pharmacists collaborate daily with physicians to help answer medication questions, clarify medications and help ensure customers have access to medications that are affordable and meet their therapeutic needs.

Staniforth noted that pharmacists could also flag concerns around a patient’s prescriptions to physicians, such as potential drug interactions or how a different dosage might have a different outcome on a patient.

“These pharmacy-provided services help physicians focus on more chronic, complex care, especially in areas or practices that may have physician staffing shortages,” said Staniforth. “By collaborating, Rite Aid pharmacists ensure customers have access to their medications and get the most out of their treatments. Rite Aid pharmacists are embedded in the communities we serve and are a valuable part of the health care delivery team.”

Staniforth said Rite Aid will continue to seek out opportunities to strengthen relationships with other healthcare providers.

“This may include further integration into the medical records with providers or direct partnerships—collaborative practice agreements—with Rite Aid pharmacists managing customer’s medications,” she said.

Likewise, Couture of Hannaford Supermarkets said the chain’s pharmacies collaborate with physicians to assess patient adherence and understanding of their medications.

“Pharmacists sometimes have data that is not available at a physician’s office, such as how often a patient is taking their medication or requesting refills,” Couture said. “We are also well positioned to identify and help close gaps in areas like vaccinations. This is especially important since we saw a decrease in vaccination rates during the pandemic.”

The most important benefit derived from pharmacist-physician collaboration is improved patient care, said Couture.

“It benefits a patient to have conversations with their pharmacist and become more knowledgeable about their health conditions and medications,” she said.

Meanwhile, physicians can see benefits from collaboration by gaining more understanding

about their patients’ adherence to prescriptions and how it impacts their condition. This ultimately provides information that enables physicians to determine whether or not to make changes to the patient’s treatment.

“The biggest opportunity is for a better understanding of the impact that a pharmacist has on patient care,” said Couture. “Pharmacists are well equipped to counsel and complete check-ins for patients to ensure they are getting the care they need.”

Medical Services Become More Routine

Gates of Walgreens said that additional medical services beyond vaccinations are becoming more routine at pharmacies. These include testing for HIV, COVID-19 and other conditions; mental health screening; and education on protective health measures.

“Walgreens pharmacists interact with many types of physicians and medical professionals—primary care, specialty care, emergency care and others—giving pharmacists even deeper insight into the healthcare continuum,” he said.

Walgreens Boots Alliance also has a majority stake investment in VillageMD, which recently acquired Summit Health-CityMD, creating one of the largest provider networks in the nation, Gates said.

“Walgreens is the first pharmacy chain to offer full-service primary care at large scale at Village Medical at Walgreens practices,” he said. “These co-locations allow physicians and the pharmacy team to work together closely to offer patients cost-effective, expert care for chronic conditions, as well as everyday illnesses and injuries.”

The retailer’s partnership with VillageMD is focused on driving healthcare outcomes, Gates said, and Walgreens sees “great value” in coordinating care between physicians and pharmacists to improve the quality of care and lower its costs. Examples include flu immunization referrals, medication adherence and medication reconciliation consultations and collaborative practice agreements between Walgreens Pharmacy and Village Medical, allowing pharmacists to conduct bridge refills, prior authorizations and formulary interchanges.

Additionally, Walgreens collaborates with several payors to make preventive health and wellness services available to their members at Walgreens Health Corner locations in California, New Jersey and Ohio. Health Corners are dedicated spaces in Walgreens stores where licensed clinicians provide a range of health support and clinical services to complement the care members receive from their network of primary care physicians and specialists, Gates explained.

“The Health Corner locations help patients stay on track with their health, especially when they’re between doctor visits,” said Gates. “Members’ existing providers receive the results and outcomes from these services in order to have the most accurate, up to date and complete information about a patient’s individual health.”

Gates sees more opportunities to expand collaboration among pharmacists and physicians in the future, leveraging Walgreens’ nearly 9,000 locations, its partnerships with VillageMD and others.

“With these opportunities, we can expand the scope of services pharmacists offer and grow the pharmacist-physician relationship, helping make the healthcare system easier to navigate by delivering trust, convenience and expertise for a more connected care experience,” said Gates. dsn

Ingredient-Infused Success

Whether driven by TikTok or dermatologists’ recommendations, consumers are on the hunt for buzzy ingredients in bath and skin care products

Consumers are more educated to about the ingredients in their skin and bath products than ever. They understand the difference between ceramides and niacinamide. They learn about skin cycling and slugging from TikTok and the importance of protecting the skin barrier from professionals.

The constant churn of hot ingredients makes it difficult for retailers to manage skin and bath assortments. Exacerbating the challenges of keeping up with trends is the demand a social media post can make on an item that retailers cannot predict. One GRWM (get ready with me) post featuring skin care ingredient tips from Alix Earle and drug store shelves can be wiped out. Examples of viral ingredient hits include hydrocolloid pimple patches like The Mighty Patch sold at CVS, Squalene in E.l.f.’s Putty Primer and hyaluronic acid found in products such as Eucerin’s Hydrating Cleansing Gel. In the bath category, social media ignited sales of bath bombs, shower steamers, Dr. Teal’s and Alaffia bubble bath.

To keep shelves stocked with hot items, retailers said they keep an ear to social media and shift inventories in stores with an excess to those where shelves are bare to keep in stock.

Looking for clinical proof that ingredients are effective, consumers dug into research to learn

about the science. Many sought solutions for skin sensitivities. Retailers report they are adding more products to help with skin issues. Andrea Harrison, vice president of beauty and personal care at CVS, said stocking products for sensitive skin has been a cornerstone of its Skin Care Centers.

One cause for the increase in sensitivity stems from common skin problems such as dryness, redness and inflammation, according to Michele Robertson, director of product innovation at Symrise.

To help retailers and brands know what is popular now and what’s down the road, Drug Store News asked brands and trend prognosticators what ingredients are moving to the front burner.

A Peek into the Future

Spate and Symrise, an ingredient resource, teamed up to identify the rising ingredients in skin care. “Brands that prioritize ingredient-driven products will appeal to consumers who want products tailored to their needs,” said Yarden Horwitz, co-founder of Spate.

The ingredients popping up in searches could become the next important

The buzziest ingredients in skin care right now happen to be the same ingredients we’ve been famous for over 10 years—pure shea butter, raw cocoa butter, natural coconut oil and cold-pressed castor oil.

— Chris Lopez, marketing director, Okay Pure Naturals

PROTECT HYDRATE AND RESTORE SKIN BARRIER THE

Blending zinc oxide with chemical sun filters, CeraVe Hydrating Sheer Sunscreen’s hybrid formula provides the protective benefits of a mineral sunscreen with the cosmetic elegance of a chemical sunscreen.

• Mineral and chemical sun filters help reflect and absorb harmful UVA and UVB rays

• Suitable for sensitive skin

• Ceramides 1, 3, & 6-II help restore and maintain the skin’s natural protective barrier

• Water resistant for 80 minutes

• MVE® technology continually releases moisturizing ingredients for 24-hour hydration

RECOMMEND AN EFFECTIVE SUNCARE REGIMEN

building blocks for skin care launches.

The top ingredients by search included glycolic acid, tretinoin, snail mucin, rice, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, chebula, ceramide, polypeptide and argireline. The fastest growing year-over-year ingredients people searched for were celery, chebula, polypeptide, snail mucin, buttermilk, copper peptide, polyglutamic acid, caramel flavor, watermelon and sake.

Ingredient stories were center stage during the recent NYSCC Suppliers’ Day exhibition in New York City. Because some people are sensitive to retinol, several suppliers presented natural bakuchiol as an alternative. Vegan collagen was also a hot topic as a replacement for the commonly used bovine options.

Evergreen Ingredients are Still Safe Bets

Keeping an eye on future ingredients, brand marketers said they also see consumers returning to the tried and true.

“The buzziest ingredients in skin care right now happen to be the same ingredients we’ve been famous for over 10 years—pure shea butter, raw cocoa butter, natural coconut oil and cold-pressed castor oil,” said Chris Lopez, marketing director for Okay Pure Naturals. The brand has incorporated these desired ingredients in products for the entire body.

Although emerging ingredients lure shoppers, Lopez called salicylic acids and niacinamides “timeless” favorites. “The mechanism behind how they work is so effective they simply cannot be beat at the moment... and they’re ingredients backed by clinical studies,” he said. “That’s why we see these ingredients at the forefront of most innovative skin care products—even now in 2023.”

Okay Pure Naturals offers a variety of skin care products with both salicylic acid and niacinamides, he said.

Consumers are more aware of ingredients’ effects on their bodies, he added. “We see a shift away from beeswax, which highlights a shift toward cleaner, healthier and more sustainable beauty products overall.” That is exemplified by labeling that reflects what products are “free of” or “packed with,” Lopez said.

While “BeautyTok” creates viral sensations, consumers also get product advice from professionals, including beauty consultants and dermatologists. The latter raised awareness about the importance of a healthy skin barrier. That has been one of the catalysts for the meteoric rise in sales of CeraVe—the market leader in almost all skin care segments.

“Choosing ingredients that help care for the skin barrier is essential for having healthy skin,” said Jasteena Gill, vice president of marketing at CeraVe. ”CeraVe products are developed with dermatologists to ensure all formulations have gentle, safe and efficacious ingredients, and one of those key ingredients is ceramides.”

David Horwitz, vice president of retail sales for Pura D’Or, just launched a new product formulated with tea tree, chamomile and lavender oil. Long-term and repeat usage trumps just hopping on a viral trend.

“It’s important to note that Pura D’Or doesn’t focus on the hottest ingredients per se but the most efficacious in the highest concentration available,” he said. “Our castor oil, rosehips oil and argan oil are single-ingredient skin care products that stand the test of time because they are not fads.”

“Our oils are USDA certified organic while many other oils are not,” Horwitz explained. ”Our vitamin E oil—also USDA certified organic—contains 70,000 IUs [individual units] of vitamin E while others often have 35,000 or fewer IUs of vitamin E.”

“Pura D’Or is driven by tried-and-true ingredients that have stood the test of time and have performed well for consumers over the years,” Horwitz continued. “We always see a resurgence in interest in oils and that’s when we welcome new customers to our brand who, in turn, become loyal clients.” dsn

No7 Future Renew

After a successful rollout in the U.K., No7 & Future Renew debuted in Walgreens in late May. No7 Future Renew has a “super peptide” blend that is designed to biohack the skin’s natural repair process, signaling renewal of more than 50 key proteins in skin cells.

Pura D’Or Awakening Body Wash

Pura D’Or’s Awakening Body Wash features a mixture of aloe vera, tea tree, chamomile oil and lavender oil.

Pipette Baby Lotion, Shampoo + Body Wash and SPF 50 Mineral Sunscreen

CVS just added the Pipette baby and sun collection. The range is clinically shown to moisturize skin. The shampoo + body wash is made with sugarcane-derived squalane.

Okay Naturals Miami Beach

Skin Care Collection

A sunscreen and body lotion are part of Okay’s newly released Miami Beach Collection. Featuring evergreen ingredients such as coconut, vitamin E and jojoba oil, the products also use salicylic acid and niacinamides—two highly desirable ingredients based on Spate consumer research.

Nail-Care Renaissance

The category is taking a skin care-level approach when it comes to seasonal trends

By Gisselle Gaitan

Just as the seasons come and go, so do fashion and beauty trends—and that includes nails.

Last summer, it was all about the Hailey Bieber “Glazed Donut” nails and a modern take on the classic French manicure that took over TikTok and many other social media platforms. This year bold colors and press-on manicures and pedicures are having a major moment.

Yes, that is correct—press-on pedicures are a thing, and it seems that bold and bright colors, such as neons and the classic white, are not going anywhere this coming summer.

“I am all the rage on brights. I love the new imPRESS Press-on Pedicure Bubbly, which is a bright neon yellow and imPRESS Press-on Pedicure Feelings, a neon green,” said celebrity nail artist Elle Gerstein. “Also art on toes or matching/ coordinating pedis are a trend.”

What makes press-on nails an option in an ever-evolving category? The simplicity of quickly changing a look in a matter of minutes without waiting for the polish to dry.

“You can remove imPRESS Press-on Pedicure by simply peeling the nail off from the side! You can also use polish remover and oil and they will peel off,” said Gerstein.

Though it’s not all about bright and bold colors, nail care is having a significant renaissance, with brands such as Dermelect opting to take a skincare -level approach to the category.

The nail care industry is growing rapidly, and it’s estimated to reach $23.1 billion by the end of 2031, said the Transparency Market Research. The study also notes that pedicures and manicures are being increasingly adopted by the populace across the globe as they cause minimum damage to nail beds.

Companies in the nail care market are also increasing their research and development in order to provide next-gen products that can moisturize, strengthen and make nails smooth, the study notes. The surge in nail care awareness among the global population is boosting the growth of the market

“The ‘skinification’ of nail care is the hot topic,” said Amos Lavain, founder of Dermelect. “Consumers are better informed, are proactive about ingredients, and want transparency from the beauty brands they purchase from. The focus on clean nail care solutions with efficacious ingredients continue to trend high as the move away from potentially ‘dirty’ nail care that tout’s formaldehyde, toluene, camphor.”

Dermelect touts its nail products as being centered around formulation, ingredient technology and unique delivery systems that address such issues as ridges on the nails in the same way as one would target fine lines and wrinkles on the face or forehead, the brand said. That approach could look a million different ways to users: It could mean opting for a nail and cuticle treatment or giving nails a break from polish or extensions.

“Just like our skin, our nails lose their natural moisture when utilizing gels, dips or acrylics,” said Lavain. “Many of the problems people see in their nails—breaking, peeling, flaking, splitting—are often symptoms of

The nail care industry is growing rapidly, estimated to gain a U.S.

value by the end of 2031.

— Transparency Market Research

dehydration. First and foremost, it is crucial to maintain a moisture balance in the nail when trying to strengthen nails, especially post gels and acrylics. The first step of recovery is therefore utilizing a super hydrating nail cream or oil to replenish dehydrated nails.”

The nail care category is one that will continue to evolve as the needs of consumers. While staying on trend seems to be a concern for major brands, many are also pushing toward ensuring nails get the same amount of care and attention as the skin. dsn

Product Picks

Nails INC Mani Marker Easy Nail Art Pens (Individual)

SRP: $5 each on NailsInc. com and Amazon.com

Mani is a revolutionary nail innovation that’s taking the nail art world by storm. Consumers don’t have to paint it like the pros to try out these Mani Markers. All they need to do is bring their nail art ideas to life, from simple to complicated designs, and turn nails into the ultimate canvas. It’s available in Mascara Black, Bright White, Bubblegum Pink, Sea Blue, Kale Green and Lipstick Red.

Glamnetic Chasing Rainbows

Press On Nail Collection

SRP: $19.99 each at glamnetic.com

Perfect for spring, the styles in this collection include six playful designs that include Discomania, Checkmate, All Smiles, Vibin’, Neon Lights, Wild Child. The collection also features a brand-new shape in a short oval, which is just the right length for those who want a natural style with a slight tapering effect. Each set comes in a glossy and semi-transparent finish.

imPRESS Press-On Pedicure

SRP: $7.99 - $11.99, impressmanicure.com, Amazon, Ulta Beauty and drug stores nationwide

ImPRESS is a readyto-wear pedicure that requires no glue and is safe on natural nails. Available in a variety of colors and designs, the nails are waterproof, do not smudge and do not chip. They also are easy, safe to use, feature a mess-free application and removal.

Sally Hansen x Keith Haring Collection

SRP: $12.99 each at mass-market, drug store, food and e-commerce retailers

The Sally Hansen x Keith Haring Collection, which features the beauty brand’s popular long-wearing nail polish, Miracle Gel, is turning into a work of art with 10 vibrant pops of Keith Haringinspired shades. Designed to provide up to eight days of chip-resistant wear, the line includes Red-iant Baby, Blanc Canvas, Contempor-airy, Go Figures, Writing On The Walls, Colour Instinct, Pop H-Art, Dance Your Pants Off, Draw Blue In and Sketched In Stone.

While staying on trend seems to be a significant concern for major brands, many are also pushing toward ensuring nails are cared for in the same manner as the skin.

Tech Standouts

Meet the pharmacy technology and automation companies that help pharmacists juggle their responsibilities

By Sandra Levy

Now that the pandemic is in the rearview mirror, pharmacists find themselves with more responsibilities than ever. With no time to waste, they are turning to pharmacy automation and technology companies to ease their workload and increase efficiencies so they can meet patients’ needs.

Drug Store News sat down with executives from the pharmacy technology and automation companies that go the extra mile to offer innovative solutions to help pharmacies successfully multitask.

Adheris Health

Jim Rotsart, general manager of U.S. operations

Adheris Health, a MedAdvisor company, is a provider of patient engagement solutions and empowers people to

live healthier by transforming and individualizing the patient medication management experience. We are laser-focused on innovation and providing next-gen solutions for our retail partners that help improve the patient medication experience, keep them on their prescribed therapy and drive customer satisfaction and loyalty for the retailer. Our two newest solutions are SMS text and paperless pharmacy.

SMS text allows retailers to virtually support their patients with text reminders directly linked to helpful patient resources, such as instructional videos, education and copay assistance. By enabling patient SMS text services and connecting to patients, retailers create a virtual experience for their patients and close gaps of care, resulting from both care and pharmacy deserts, and help to address care inequities.

Paperless pharmacy is our latest innovation. It enables pharmacies to digitally deliver their required regulatory content

industry Ambition

Unleash the Full Potential of PharmacyTM

iA® offers robust solutions for pharmacy fulfillment of different levels and complexities, designed to deliver quick and sustainable business results. Our Pharmacy Fulfillment Platform runs the prescription fulfillment process from prescription acceptance to delivery, all while helping improve workflow, aiding in increasing efficiency, and enabling more time for pharmacists to focus on their patients. iA is dedicated to driving innovation in the pharmacy industry, with a strong emphasis on empowering community pharmacists who are deeply committed to making a meaningful impact in healthcare. This is the future of pharmacy, fulfilled.

to patients, including medication guides, product images and drug monographs. The results are two-fold, providing a digital delivery option for patients who prefer to receive their content in a digital format and helping retailers to reduce their environmental impact by reducing the amount of paper they consume for printing purposes.

This solution will continue to evolve as we expand with supplementary features to drive additional value for our retail partners. We continue to grow our retail network and product portfolio as we accelerate and solve even more market challenges to help patients live their healthiest lives.

EnlivenHealth

Jason Ausili, head of pharmacy transformation

EnlivenHealth offers pharmacy software solutions that address medication adherence, automate time-consuming manual processes, improve communication between pharmacies and patients and empower pharmacies to provide clinical services for their communities.

The newest innovation from EnlivenHealth is Amplicare Clinical Solution, a cloud-based software platform specifically designed to support pharmacies expanding into clinical services. With this platform, pharmacies can streamline and automate all the steps before, during and after clinical care appointments. Patients enjoy the digital convenience of SMS text communications, online appointment scheduling and electronic consent forms. Pharmacists benefit from a streamlined work queue, digital clinical documentation, medical billing and easy vaccine registry reporting.

The clinical software takes the activities before, during and after pharmacists provide clinical care and links them together into one continuous digital experience that doesn’t require juggling multiple platforms.

Another way EnlivenHealth is advancing the patient experience while making life easier for pharmacy staff is through Personalized IVR, an automated call answering system that goes beyond traditional interactive voice response. Pharmacies that implement EnlivenHealth’s Personalized IVR system have seen the number of calls answered by their pharmacy staff reduced by 50% or more.

Plus, interactions with the IVR are personalized according to the phone number calling in, allowing patients to refill medications without typing in a prescription number. With this solution, patients can take care of many basic pharmacy needs 24 hours a day, seven days a week, while pharmacy staff have more time to focus on their daily tasks. It’s a win-win.

EnlivenHealth is continuously finding new ways to transform the business and practice of pharmacy, providing support in critical business areas so pharmacies can focus on what matters most: their patients.

iA (Innovation Associates)

Alecia Lashier, executive vice president, chief automation officer

iA is a pharmacy fulfillment company that provides an integrated platform of capabilities to support centralized and community pharmacy solutions. With over 30 years of experience in the pharmacy fulfillment

KNAPP is on a mission to transform pharmacy by automating virtually every aspect of prescription filling and pickup.

LESS COMPLEXITY

Automated putaway, DSCSA scanning, stock bottle management, and Will Call order packing enable low-touch, high-throughput dispensing — with no additional staff. Automatic indoor kiosks and 24/7 outdoor terminals facilitate low-touch “Fast Lane” pick up.

MORE TIME

1 Pharmacies can reduce operating costs while increasing revenue streams and freeing space for new services

2 Pharmacists and technicians can spend more time with patients and improve care outcomes

3 Patients can conveniently pick up prescriptions when, where and how they want

Demand less. Expect more. Rethink everything.

business, iA has developed and implemented a suite of automation and software solutions that help deliver quick and sustainable business results.

iA’s Pharmacy Fulfillment Platform and people work together to improve customers’ workflow, increase efficiency and optimize fulfillment, ultimately helping free up the pharmacists to focus on providing the best possible care to their community. iA continues to tap into our inventive philosophies and develop partnerships that, above all, will drive innovation.

NEXiA Enterprise Analytics is the first cloud-based application to be released within the NEXiA software suite for pharmacy fulfillment. When customers upgrade their capabilities to utilize Enterprise Analytics, they will have access to various dashboards that contextualize hardware and operations information in near real-time visualizations. These dashboards help operations leaders better understand prescription throughput, inventory availability, hardware downtime, labor utilization, service levels and shipping metrics to improve operational efficiency through better decision-making.

From the relationships between pharmacists and patients to the trust built with customers, iA’s strong partnerships are integral to everything they do. iA works with pharmacy providers in the commercial, health systems, government and mail order/ e-commerce markets.

KNAPP

Brian Sullivan, principal - Pharmacy Solutions, North America

KNAPP specializes in automated pharmacy systems that minimize mundane tasks required of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. This allows time for more value-added clinical activities and patient care, which include our Mission Zero Touch central fill, mail order and specialty pharmacies to fulfill patient orders automatically for the lowest cost and in the smallest footprint available.

At the center of KNAPP Pharmacy Solutions, our KiSoft One Pharmacy Execution software provides predictive guidance and a workflow with a granular view. This guidance, combined with our KNAPP-Store technology, provides automated put-away, DSCSA scanning, inventory control, labeling, PV2 bypass and packing with minimal human interaction required.

In the retail store, KNAPP delivers automated systems that reduce the time for medication to be put away from wholesaler and retailer warehouses as well as will call orders received from central fills. These systems provide automated DSCSA scanning, complete inventory visualization and FEFO dispensing. KNAPP’s stock bottle management system reduces the steps necessary for technicians to accomplish in-store fulfillment of prescriptions, ensuring that the correct bottle is always chosen and allowing more time for direct patient care.

KNAPP’s automated 24-7 prescription dispensing systems provide Fast Lane access for patient pick-up during and after pharmacy hours, in-store and at the drive-thru. Because the system takes up less space than the shelving it replaces, pharmacies have more room for additional consultation areas and broader patient care.

The KNAPP Group is a global provider of intelligent automation solutions for intralogistics and manufacturing, specializing in these sectors: healthcare, fashion/apparel, general retail, food retail, industry and service. With more than 6,000 employees and 62 locations worldwide, we are shaping the future-oriented industry of intralogistics.

STChealth

Mike Popovich, CEO

STChealth has been providing vaccine intelligence to pharmacy partners for over 35 years. Headquartered in Phoenix, Ariz., STChealth works with clients throughout the United States and internationally to pursue a shared mission of eradicating vaccine-preventable disease through innovative software and service solutions.

Over 75,000 Immunization providers located throughout all 50 U.S. states leverage STChealth Clinical Services technology to validate patient immunization status, as well as capture and report patient immunization and laboratory test data

to state and federal entities. Since the outset of the COVID pandemic, over 1 billion patient records have been reported through STChealth’s national network; this massive exchange of data was made possible through partnerships with The White House, the CDC, state public health and community pharmacies across the nation.

Throughout its entire history, STChealth has worked alongside public health as a provider of immunization information system technology; these public sector relationships allow STChealth to bridge the gap with the private sector healthcare providers,including pharmacy, to create longstanding, meaningful partnerships between providers and public health.

While many in the healthcare ecosystem recognize the risk that vaccine hesitancy poses to public health, few are taking action like STChealth. Leveraging the billions of data points that run through the STChealth Network, ongoing research and analysis are being done to help pharmacy providers make better decisions about increasing access to immunizations, in addition to when and how to communicate with vaccine-hesitant patients.

Surescripts

Bri Palowitch, clinical informatics pharmacist

Surescripts is an Arlington, Va.-based health information network that simplifies health intelligence sharing so pharmacies can spend more time counseling patients and less time on administrative work. Surescripts empowers community pharmacists as they take on an expanding scope of practice, including testing, immunizations and medication therapy management, so they can continue to deliver quality, accessible care to patients across the country.

Through the Surescripts Network Alliance, pharmacies gain connection to nearly all EHR vendors, pharmacy benefit managers and clinicians in the U.S., plus health plans, long-term and post-acute care organizations and patient access vendors.

Surescripts solutions that support the needs of pharmacies include:

E-Prescribing sets the standard for safe, clear prescriptions with technology that enables high data quality and efficient prescriber/pharmacist communication wherever medications are prescribed and filled. RxChange, enabled by more than half of all prescribers, makes it easy to get prescription changes approved electronically. Real-Time-Prescription Benefit addresses prescription cost concerns up-front, saving an average of $61.17 per prescription and $428 for specialty medications while increasing prescription pick-up rates by 3.2 percentage points and avoiding costly restocking.

Clinical Direct Messaging lets pharmacists, prescribers and other healthcare professionals reliably send and receive information— such as immunization records—across multiple care collaboration scenarios within their existing workflows.

Specialty Medications Gateway enhances workflow automation, retrieving key patient information from the EHR, reducing phone calls to other providers by about 40%, accelerating speed to fill and enhancing patient safety.

Improving prescription accuracy is a key part of how Surescripts helps pharmacies deliver safer care promptly at prices patients can afford. When pharmacists and technicians have access to key clinical information at their fingertips using Surescripts technology, they can spend less time chasing information outside of the dispensing workflow and more time caring for their patients.

LexisNexis Risk Solutions

Craig Ford, vice president sales, Pharmacy Markets

A successful pharmacy future relies on the synthesis of data, technology and personal care delivery for optimal patient care coordination and outcomes. For retail and specialty pharmacies, LexisNexis Risk Solutions supports improved patient care, compliance and workflow operations with authoritative patient and provider data and analytics, while identifying strategic opportunities to expand clinical services.

LexisNexis VerifyRX is a real-time, compliance-driven prescriber verification solution designed specifically for retail pharmacy and specialty pharmacies. As part of the pharmacy workflow, VerifyRX processes millions of transactions a day, verifying complex prescriber data including Drug Enforcement Administration and state licensure data, and daily National Technical Information Service data.

VerifyRX now also offers VerifyRX Accelerate, an even more flexible tool that allows users to create additional compliance checks that are unique to their own needs. This solution not only helps mitigate compliance risk but also identifies potential claims submission errors prior to dispensing the drug. VerifyRx leverages the LexisNexis Provider Masterfile, the industry leading referential provider database used by most pharmacy chains and PBMs nationwide.

LexisNexis KeepContact maintains the accuracy of patient demographic and contact information so pharmacies can strengthen their outreach and engagement programs to improve wellness in their communities.

LexisNexis’ SDoH solution enables our retail and specialty pharmacy clients to leverage our regulated patient-level public records-derived data assets to identify those specific patients that may be more prone to being non-adherent when it comes to their drug regimen or more likely to be re-hospitalized. Our SDoH solution leverages clinically validated socioeconomic attributes on key categories, including neighborhood environment, education level, income, access to transportation, food insecurity, etc. to identify barriers to care. In addition, LexisNexis has built clinically validated models that yield scores to help stratify a population by risk level. dsn

Together, let’s pursue...

Better

Experience with Pharmacy Marketing Advantage PLUS

Pharmacists across the country are extending their services outside the brick-and-mortar by allowing patients to refill prescriptions and order thousands of products from the comfort of their home. Pharmacy Marketing Advantage PLUS is a premium solution that builds on core digital tools with an online commerce feature to expand your capacity to sell over-the-counter products with next-day pharmacy delivery or in-store pickup.

Better Care with Point-of-Care Testing

Pharmacies can position themselves as health and wellness destinations by offering rapid diagnostic testing and wellness screenings to their patients with Cardinal Health™ Point-of-Care Testing, a fully turn-key program that provides all needed tools and resources.

Fueled

Better Adherence with Compliance Packaging

Ranging from the automated prescription fulfillment solution NavixRx™ Compliance Packaging, to the manual Dispill® Medication Packaging System, we will take care of the most time-consuming and often the costliest area of your pharmacy so that you can provide your patients with an easier way to manage multiple prescriptions and stay on track with their medication regimen.

Better Connections with Outcomes™ Solutions

We deliver solutions that empower pharmacies to increase patient engagement, provide clinical care capabilities and drive operational efficiencies via the OutcomesOne™ Platform, while driving connections between payers, pharmacies and pharmaceutical manufacturers.

by a relentless commitment to excellence, service and continual improvement, our suite of innovative solutions will allow you to expand your business, make more time for patients and improve healthcare in your community. When you need us, we’re here for you.

A Shot in the Arm

Retail pharmacies could reclaim success by proactively addressing three of today’s most significant challenges

By Kathie Canning

The COVID-19 pandemic was a gamechanger for many U.S. retail pharmacies. In early 2021, the first phase of the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program launched, and a number of pharmacies nationwide began to offer COVID19 vaccinations for their communities.

The public turnout was nothing short of impressive. By mid-July 2021, Federal Retail Pharmacy Program participants in the United States had administered and reported approximately 112 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And many COVID-19 vaccine recipients began to view retail pharmacies as much more than just prescription fillers.

In fact, research from consulting firm Accenture, shows that 67% of consumers used expanded services from their retail pharmacy throughout the pandemic, said Tyler Slovick, managing director of the company’s healthcare group.

“Retail pharmacies experienced a one-in-alifetime opportunity to elevate their status as essential businesses, sustaining foot traffic and bringing new patients seeking health services to the store,” he noted. “They accelerated their shift toward becoming health care service providers, adding new nonprescription revenues in diagnostics and vaccination programs.”

But the party appears to be over. Many retail pharmacies are facing significant challenges tied to their vaccination programs—for COVID-19, shingles, influenza and more. But they could reclaim success by proactively addressing three of today’s greatest challenges.

Waning Demand

One major difficulty impacting retail vaccine programs is the greatly reduced demand for COVID-19 boosters, noted Wayne

Glowac, director of marketing for OneEvent Technologies, Mount Horeb, Wis.

“For a while, pharmacies were the ‘field of dreams.’ If you built it, they would come,” he said. “Unfortunately, there are people not coming back.”

Jason Ausili, Pharm D., head of pharmacy transformation for Fort Worth, Texas-based EnlivenHealth, said identification of vaccine candidates is particularly critical for retail pharmacy locations that depend primarily on an “on-demand walk-in-visit model.” He noted that modern clinical software solutions could not only help retail pharmacies identify these candidates but also “help close gaps” for patients who haven’t completed a multi-dose series of shots.

Another plus? The right technology solution could minimize the burdens associated with vaccination protocol compliance.

Ausili noted that EnlivenHealth recently debuted the Amplicare Clinical Solution, which provides an “easy end-to-end clinical workflow” for retail pharmacies.

“I know it’s hard for pharmacists to get out from behind the bench and go out in person, but I’ve seen those who visit doctors’ offices and build relationships be successful and continue to do vaccinations.”

— Wayne Glowac, director of marketing, OneEvent Technologies

OneEvent Technologies introduced a cellular-based system for pharmacy refrigerator/freezer monitoring and reporting.

The Need for Accurate, Timely Reporting

With some effort, retail pharmacies could mitigate three of today’s biggest vaccination program challenges, including waning demand, staffing shortages and inefficiencies. One key challenge, however—the need to provide accurate and timely reporting of vaccination data—might be a bit harder to address.

“Retail pharmacies don’t typically have access to the right longitudinal patient data, nor the ability to input into medical records,” explained Tyler Slovick, managing director in Chicago-based Accenture’s healthcare group. “That lack of information makes it difficult to be informed when interacting with a patient, and pharmacists miss opportunities to drive new health insights.”

As they stand today, digital capabilities, payment structures and talent delivering new services are not sustainable either, he noted.

“These issues must be addressed to stabilize profit pressures and sustain new growth into the future,” Slovick said, “and will require that pharmacies not get stuck on trying to only solve the old familiar challenges.”

Retail pharmacies will need to build and maintain “an ecosystem” comprising partnerships with local and state governments, insurers and pharmacy benefit managers, doctors and others to resolve the data issues, he noted, as well as to make payment models sustainable in an environment in which vaccination rates are falling.

“These new relationships have potential to be mutually beneficial,” Slovick added, “positioning the pharmacy as the ‘front door’ to patients and facilitating new relationships and data exchanges with partners.”

“Patients enjoy the digital convenience of SMS text communications, online appointment scheduling and electronic consent forms,” Ausili explained. “Pharmacists benefit from a streamlined work queue, digital clinical documentation, medical billing and vaccine registry reporting. Linking pre-, during- and post-clinical service activities together in one continuous digital experience provides pharmacies with a solution that promotes healthier outcomes while also increasing operational efficiency and revenue.”

Marketing is key to building demand, too, and should go well beyond a Facebook post, Glowac stressed. Retail pharmacies could win by employing the traditional four Ps of marketing—product, price, place and promotion—as well as by putting in some extra effort. He pointed to one retail pharmacy that has become a sort of “destination for family vaccinations” by reaching out to patients with vaccine reminders. In fact, it sent an email to remind Glowac’s wife that she was eligible for her COVID-19 booster but also for her shingles vaccination and flu shot. The reminder prompted her to make a return visit.

“I know that’s a lot of effort, a lot of paperwork, but pharmacies that succeed dig in and are really dedicated to doing the work that needs to get done,” Glowac said.

Recognizing that a number of physicians “aren’t that crazy about” providing

PHC Corporation of North America offers a variety of Energy Star certified refrigerator/ freezer units for pharmacies.

vaccinations, some other retail pharmacies are now actively marketing their vaccination capabilities to local physicians’ offices, he added.

“I know it’s hard for pharmacists to get out from behind the bench and go out in person, but I’ve seen those who visit doctors’ offices and build relationships be successful and continue to do vaccinations,” Glowac said.

Staffing Shortages

Another significant threat to retail vaccine programs is insufficient staffing. As Josh Griggs, director of retail pharmacy sales for Boston-based SmartSense by Digi, explained, many retail pharmacies are

“Accenture research shows of pharmacists feel they don’t have time to connect with patients in more meaningful ways.”

— Tyler Slovick, managing director, Accenture’s healthcare group

having difficulty fully staffing operations with pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and other critical personnel.

Understaffing can be attributed to several factors, including labor shortages, the establishment of new payment streams as federal COVID-19 funds expire and pharmacist burnout. Although pharmacists want to expand the role they play in health care delivery — and possess the expertise and access to do so—they are emotionally exhausted, thanks to pressure to move quickly and carry heavy workloads without enough staff, Slovick said.

“In fact, Accenture’s research found more than one in three pharmacists are likely to leave their position in the next two years,” he pointed out. “Without pharmacists, stores are then required to offer limited hours, or worse—shut their doors.”

Pharmacists who remain on the job but who lack adequate support staffing face potential risks tied to vaccine-administration disruptions and degradation of vaccine-holding conditions, Griggs said. But retail pharmacies could take steps to minimize issues tied to staffing shortages. For example, he noted, they could implement continuous environmental monitoring technology that maximizes critical inventory consumption via enhanced asset protection and prescriptive guidance. Such technology is powered by real-time data and excursion detection.

Reallocation, automation, AI and/or robotic support also could help retail pharmacies eliminate low-value workflows that can eat into pharmacists’ valuable time, Slovick explained.

“Accenture research shows 76% of pharmacists feel they don’t have time to connect with patients in more meaningful ways,” he noted.

And Glowac pointed to a novel idea implemented by the aforementioned “destination for family vaccinations”—that retail pharmacy recruits pharmacy students from the local university to take care of a lot of the vaccine-related administrative work.

“It’s a win-win,” he noted. “They can then leverage those pharmacy students into employees.”

Temperature Worries

Temperature control/monitoring for vaccine storage presents yet another challenge in retail pharmacy vaccination programs— particularly frustrating considering today’s staffing issues.

“Some newer vaccines may require a broader range of temperature conditions for long-term storage,” noted Joe Laporte, chief innovation officer of Wood Dale, Ill.headquartered PHC Corporation of North America. “It is important that pharmacy managers understand the impact of frozen vaccine storage on equipment needs and the timing associated with the thawed vaccines once removed from a frozen state.”

Laporte said retail pharmacies must practice careful inventory management here, employing a first-in/last-out policy with vaccine deliveries, understanding shelf lives and expiration dates, adhering to independent temperature-monitoring procedures and more. The right refrigeration equipment is critical, too. Refrigerators and freezers must be designed for uniform storage, internal temperature uniformity and rapid temperature recovery following frequent door opening.

“PHC Corporation of North America offers Energy Star certified slim, undercounter and combination units that deliver the required safe conditions for storage while helping to conserve energy

costs in the pharmacy,” Laporte said.

Reliable temperature monitoring is critical, too, of course. To meet needs here, SmartSense by Digi offers a highly scalable remote temperature and compliance monitoring system for vaccine operations. According to the company, it maintains CDC-required continuous temperature monitoring of vaccines in refrigerators, freezers and ultra-low temperature freezers.

For its part, OneEvent Technologies offers a cellular-based refrigeration-monitoring system for vaccines and medications, Glowac noted.

“Our system helps save time; it saves money; it helps keep your patients safe; and it protects your reputation,” he said. “It’s a small price, really, to protect inventory.”

Griggs shared that various boards of pharmacy now require specific alerts— within specified timeframes—for refrigerated assets such as vaccines. These additional requirements call for monitoring and alerting in relation to ambient temperatures and relative humidity in the retail pharmacy itself, not just in the refrigerator or freezer.

“Furthermore, with more and more mobile vaccine clinics being supported and rolled out at local businesses or universities, the entire cold chain custody has become more important than ever,” he emphasized. dsn

Developments in Digestive Health

Distinct customer segments are purchasing different products for their digestive health needs, while keeping an eye on specific ingredients

By Patrick Williams

In the more than three years since the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic, digestive issues have become more common.

Studies show that digestive health can be influenced by various infections, mental stress, diet and lifestyle changes. Companies in the digestive health space are aware, expanding medicine and supplement options to address gastrointestinal problems for multiple demographics. At the same time, baby boomers are dealing with age-related digestive problems or hoping to stave them off.

Growing categories in the digestive health space include those that address chronic conditions, such as simethicone for gas and bloating and antacids for heartburn, said entrepreneur Noah Kraft. He and his brother, Lucas Kraft, co-founded Wonderbelly, a clean digestive health medicine company with an antacid product line.

“The pandemic and sedentary work from home has been a big factor,” Noah said. “There are articles that say that even COVID has had some sort of effect on our digestive health systems. But there’s definitely growth in people either needing more chronic help, or more specifically, now knowing that there are options.”

As consumers gravitate more toward clean food and beauty and wellness products, there is an opportunity for the digestive health market to provide them with clean medicine, Noah said.

That type of product demand has shaken out in focus groups conducted by Lifelab Health, a maker of organic and natural products. “It’s pretty consistent,” said Louis Machin, managing director of consumers. “They want a better, healthier, better-foryou product without added dyes, chemicals, ingredients.”

There’s a NEW Kid in Town

†When taken at bedtime

*This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

PRODUCT PICKS

Bio-Kult Original

Bio-Kult is a multi-strain supplement with 14 probiotic strains. Its formulation targets the digestive tract. Each capsule contains a minimum of 2 billion microorganisms per capsule, equivalent to 10 billion microorganisms per gram.

High Time for Fiber

Eating a high-fiber diet is known to promote bowel movements and regularity, but it may also lower cholesterol, inflammation and risk of complications and cancer of the colon, according to Mayo Clinic.

Following colonoscopies and endoscopies, fiber often becomes front and center in the minds of patients, Machin said. “People are coming out of those visits and saying, ‘I need a better solution long term,’ a high-fiber diet, et cetera, and that’s helping drive sales in the category,” he said.

NuSyllium Organic Natural Fiber Products

The first fiber product made with USDA Organic psyllium fiber, NuSyllium utilizes Perfect Grind technology for smooth mixing. The product line includes NuSyllium Ultra Sugar Free Fiber, NuSyllium Sugar Free Vegan Fiber Capsules, NuSyllium Orange Fiber and NuSyllium Unflavored Fiber.

Psyllium husk is one type of fiber that helps maintain healthy blood sugar levels and improve heart health, and may help control appetite, according to research from Australia’s Curtin University published in Obesity Reviews. Psyllium fiber, ground from the seeds of the psyllium (or Plantago ovata) plant, is the active ingredient in Lifelab Health’s NuSyllium product line.

Across retail, supply chain disruptions have limited product inventory, Machin said, so customers are choosing whichever items are on the shelf rather than their preferred brands. That hasn’t been an issue with NuSyllium, he said: “Over 70% of consumers repurchase NuSyllium once they try it the first time. We’ve also had really solid service levels all year, so we have not been affected by supply chain issues.”

Wonderbelly Antacid

Wonderbelly Antacid fights heartburn, acid indigestion, sour belly and related upset stomach. Each bottle contains 60 chewable tablets, each with 1,000 milligrams of calcium carbonate. Wonderbelly is free from talc, dyes, parabens, and artificial sweeteners and is vegan, dairy-free, gluten-free, and Non-GMO Project Verified. It’s available in four flavors.

Meanwhile, Machin said sugar-free NuSyllium Ultra appeals to customers on a low-carb ketogenic diet. “We’re kind of unique in that we get the traditional digestive fiber demographic, the middle age and up, where it’s recommended to them by their doctor, but we also get the younger consumer who is active and following that kind of a regimen,” he said.

Lifelab Health recently released a daily corn-based prebiotic fiber powder called NuFiber to support healthy gut bacteria. Free of sugar and gluten but also clear and taste-free, Machin said, “You could pour this over your cereal, and you’re going to have a tough time figuring out you did that.”

“When it comes to taste, it was really important to us because I wanted it to be something that you look forward to beyond just relieving the symptom—[for] the actual experience to be enjoyable and flavorful.”

— Lucas Kraft, co-founder, Wonderbelly

The Gut-Brain Axis

The mind allows people to make diet and lifestyle changes to create positive physical outcomes, but research is showing things work the other way, too: Gut microbiota influence the mind.

Elizabeth Cooper, technical advisor at ADM Protexin, shared burgeoning research on the gut-brain axis.

• Studies have shown a clear association between changes in gut microbiota and cognitive behavior, wrote Mélanie G. Gareau of University of California, San Diego in a 2014 paper published in Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology. Gareau stated that findings suggest “there exists a certain flexibility within the gut-brain-microbiota axis, well into adulthood and after completion of developmental stages thought to be the critical time for mediating potential changes.”

• Researchers from Kashan University of Medical Sciences in Iran published the results of a randomized, double-blind clinical trial in 2016 in Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience. Study participants with Alzheimer’s disease drank either milk or probiotic milk containing four bacterial strains for 12 weeks. Participants took a mini-mental state examination, which tests for cognitive impairment, before and after the 12 weeks. Members of the group that took the probiotics achieved a greater improvement in test scores than the control group.

• In 2022, in Psychological Medicine, University of Oxford researchers published findings from a randomized, doubleblind, placebo-controlled clinical trial on probiotics and the gut-brain axis. The study’s participants, who showed symptoms of mild to moderate depression, took the 14 bacterial strains in Bio-Kult Original or took a placebo for four weeks. Participants who consumed the probiotic had overall depression scores that were reduced by 50% from baseline, while their concentration had improved significantly, and they had shown changes in emotional processing.

Research indicates that fiber helps rid the body of toxins, said Elizabeth Cooper, technical advisor at ADM Protexin, which produces the Bio-Kult probiotic product line. Studies also show fiber is associated with a lower risk of diverticular disease, which is when pouches form in the digestive tract, Cooper said. When the pouches become inflamed, the condition is known as diverticulitis.

Cooper pointed out that the American and British Gut Projects have linked the consumption of a high diversity of plant foods— 30 different plants eaten each week—with greater microbiome diversity. Epidemiologist Tim Spector of King’s College London, who is involved in the project across the pond, told BBC Science Focus that doubling your fiber intake can help improve gut health.

The Promise of Probiotics

By supporting a healthy gut microbiome, fermented foods with beneficial bacteria like sauerkraut and kimchi are a boon to physical health, Cooper said.

The probiotics market, including supplements, is growing and expected to continue expanding, Cooper said, citing data from Fortune Business Insights, Coherent Market Insights and Markets and Markets. Probiotic supplements are largely propelling the growth of the digestive health supplement category, according to Mordor Intelligence, which states in a report that within probiotics, “the major consumption is observed among millennials.”

Cooper said probiotic supplements like those in Bio-Kult products “exert a beneficial effect in the intestines as they move through the gut, creating an environment more favorable to the growth of our own resident beneficial bacteria, allowing them to replenish and thrive.”

Multiple bacterial strains in Bio-Kult products, specifically, “have been tested and shown in vitro to have transient colonizing capabilities, meaning they may remain in the gut for longer than others,” Cooper said. Additionally, she said microorganisms of the bacterial strain Bacillus subtilis PXN 21 could create a protective biofilm around themselves. That film can stick to the lining of the digestive tract.

Bio-Kult strains have also been shown to

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greatly improve blood sugar levels, insulin levels and insulin resistance, Cooper said, adding that this could be because of reduced gut inflammation in patients with metabolic syndrome. She said patients with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis also lost weight and improved their fasting blood sugar after taking Bio-Kult products. In addition, she said Bio-Kult bacteria have improved non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

As fiber encourages healthy bacterial growth in the gut, the reverse is also true, Cooper said, citing a study published in Gut Microbes by researchers from King’s College London, Nottingham City Hospital and the NIHR Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre. “Beneficial species also ferment fiber to produce short-chain fatty acids, which feed the cells lining the gut, helping them to repair and renew,” she said.

Probiotic supplementation can also be customized, Cooper said, with some companies taking and analyzing stool samples and issuing questionnaires to formulate specific strains and dosages. “More and more people are realizing that ‘one size doesn’t fit all’ when it comes to our health, and as such, personalized probiotic and prebiotic products are gaining significant interest,” Cooper said.

Taking Action With Antacids

Antacids are used to treat heartburn, a condition that can result from diet choices as well as other factors, such as smoking and taking certain medications, according to Cleveland Clinic.

In 2022, brothers Lucas and Noah Kraft launched Wonderbelly and the flagship product Wonderbelly Antacid. Lucas suffers from gastroesophageal reflux disease, heartburn and upset stomach from bulimia. Lucas, who developed bulimia as a teenager, has quit binging and purging, but he continues to take antacids to treat ongoing digestive problems.

In a Wonderbelly blog post, Lucas wrote that he was inspired to create a new antacid after he became worried about antacid ingredients, such as N-Nitrosodimethylamine, a probable human carcinogen that the Food and Drug Administration recalled in 2020.

Wonderbelly formulated its antacids with calcium carbonate, the same active ingredient as many other antacids on the market, but which are vegan and animal test-free, non-GMO, Clean Label Project Certified and free of talc, dyes, gluten, artificial flavors, artificial sweeteners and parabens.

“Those are things that really show that there’s intention and mindfulness behind the ingredients that we’re choosing, and it’s not just based on what is cheapest or what would look best,” Lucas said.

Lifelab Health also took a natural approach to antacids with its NuRelief line, which features calcium carbonate antacid tabs with no artificial colors or flavors. “Instead, we did organic aloe as one ingredient, which is also soothing and has a lot of benefits for gut health,” Machin said. In addition, NuRelief Natural Antacid tabs contain fennel, which he said freshens the breath and aids digestion.

The NuRelief line also includes a Gas Relief Liquid containing simethicone as the active ingredient, minus dyes and sugars. “It actually tastes like piña colada,” Machin said. “It really helps people who have difficulty swallowing pills, which is a lot of the older demographic.”

As for Wonderbelly’s consumers, the core group is 25 to 39 years old and leans female, Noah said. Many of Wonderbelly’s customers discovered the brand during pregnancy. As Noah shared, studies have found that about 75% of pregnant women suffer from heartburn.

Wonderbelly’s selection of clean ingredients resonates with pregnant women, Lucas said. “It’s also going to affect another body as well,” he said. “So, their choices around ingredients have a little bit more importance than maybe it did before.”

Multiple members of the Wonderbelly team are either mothers or pregnant, Noah said, so the brothers aren’t making or passing on assumptions about the demographic. “We surround ourselves by chance and by notion to make sure that we are actually working with people who can walk us through the experience to make sure that we are very much catering to that constituency in a way that’s organic and not presumptive,” he said.

The business came up with four antacid flavors, strawberry milkshake, lemon sorbet, watermelon mint and the Targetexclusive fruity cereal, to help the medicine go down, but also to be aspirational in the category, Lucas said. “When it comes to taste, it was really important to us because I wanted it to be something that you look forward to beyond just relieving the symptom—[for] the actual experience to be enjoyable and flavorful,” Lucas said.

To educate people about other ways to achieve digestive relief, Wonderbelly posted a blog on its website about mindful eating. Lucas said he has found the practice to be more sustainable than strict, exclusionary dieting.

Addressing the numerous demographics with various digestive issues, experts agree that options exist to help, and catering to the demand for specific product formulations can provide consumers more peace of body and mind. dsn

“More and more people are realizing that ‘one size doesn’t fit all’ when it comes to our health, and as such, personalized probiotic and prebiotic products are gaining significant interest.”

— Elizabeth Cooper, technical advisor, ADM Protexin

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Engaging Consumers on Sustainability

Learning from consumers can lead to positive change and new vectors of growth

By Megan Timberlake

Did you know that 90% of Americans want to live more sustainably, but only 11% consistently do? As an industry, it’s important that we understand why. Supporting consumers’ desire to live sustainably will unlock new opportunities for growth and new solutions for the planet.

Most Americans think sustainable habits at home are too difficult (82%), too expensive (89%) and sacrifice product performance (73%). But what if making sustainable choices did not have to be hard? What if product innovation and industry partnership could provide consumers with the superior performance they expect and help them to easily reduce their environmental footprint?

As an industry, we know from science-based life cycle assessments that the best way to improve the environmental footprint of everyday products is by reducing the water and energy needed to do the job. But only 18% of consumers understand that reducing energy and water while doing laundry, dishes or showering can have the biggest impact1.

This provides a meaningful opportunity for retailers and CPG companies to educate and equip consumers with the information they need to lead more sustainable lives without making major changes. This education can help drive change at scale.

Retailers and CPG companies should partner to engage consumers. For example, P&G activated its “It’s Our Home” campaign for the third year in 2023 to show how easy it can be to save water, waste and energy; products are made to deliver superior performance for consumers and help them reduce their footprint.

Numerous instances from across our industry demonstrate how retailers and manufacturers are working to reduce their own operational footprints while helping consumers do the same.

For example, in partnership with Harris Teeter, a subsidiary of Kroger, and the Arbor Day Foundation, P&G aims to plant 60,000 trees across North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. When shoppers purchase $50 worth of P&G products,

Megan Timberlake, senior vice president, sales, North America sustainability and P&G Walmart Team, Procter & Gamble “Listening to consumers and helping them live more sustainably can drive substantial change, spur new levels of sustainable innovation and unlock

we commit to planting 10 trees. With support from Harris Teeter shoppers, P&G has planted 35,000 trees over the last two years. Harris Teeter and P&G are executing this initiative in 2023 with plans to plant another 25,000 trees in 2023.

In partnership with Walmart, OLAY North America is launching its first 100% recycled jars2. Made available for the OLAY Vitamin C + Peptide 24 Face Moisturizer and OLAY Retinol24 + Peptide Night Face Moisturizer, the 100% recycled jars also include cartons made from pulp certified by the Forest Stewardship Council.

The limited-run jar is the latest in OLAY’s testand-learn approach to designing more sustainable packaging using 100% recycled materials. Together with Walmart, the new 100% recycled jars2 are expected to prevent up to 10,000 pounds of plastic waste from entering landfills. With this launch, OLAY further invests in its commitment to Responsible Beauty and P&G’s progress toward 100% recyclable or reusable packaging by 2030. This partnership between OLAY and Walmart exemplifies both brands’ ability to innovate to meet consumer desire for a more sustainable shopping experience.

In addition to product and packaging innovations, we can test and learn how we communicate with consumers on sustainability topics. For example, P&G’s Tide and Cascade brands have leveraged humor as an approachable way to inspire habit change.

1 It’s Our Home” Procter & Gamble Study, conducted by Maru/Blue, surveying 1027 consumers in the U.S., December 1622, 2022.

2 100% recycled jar except label and lid

With consumer interest in sustainability accelerating, it is vital for retailers and CPG companies to partner. Listening to consumers and helping them live more sustainably can drive substantial change, spur new levels of sustainable innovation and unlock new vectors of growth for our industry.

At P&G, environmental sustainability is embedded in how we do business, and we believe that innovation cannot be irresistibly superior without also being sustainable. In partnership with retailers, we are dedicated to building a better future, setting a new standard for sustainable superiority and working to make a difference for the planet. dsn

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