United Kingdom

Perrigo aims its new SolpaOne high-strength paracetamol effervescent at UK pharmacists, who now have expanded powers as part of the UK government's Pharmacy First initiative. 

Germany's Alzchem failed to convince the UK's health claims committee that daily creatine supplementation can contribute to improved cognitive function. 

A round-up of the latest moves in Europe's consumer health industry: Galenica names head of new Products & Home Care business unit; Haleon appoints general counsel; Alliance Pharma eliminates COO role.

Consumer health, particularly food supplements that make unauthorized medical or health claims, has been a key area of focus for the UK Advertising Standards Authority's recently introduced Active Ad Monitoring system, which captures ads by relevant advertisers from a range of social media platforms, and applies machine learning algorithms to identify and flag likely non-compliant ads, which are then sent to experts to review and act on. This infographic highlights recent ASA rulings against ads for supplements claiming to treat anxiety and stress, menopause, autism/ADHD and weight loss, which were flagged by AI.

Unauthorized medical or health claims for dietary supplements are a key focus area for the UK advertising regulator's new AI-powered Active Ad monitoring system. HBW Insight speaks to the ASA’s head of data science, Adam Davison, in this exclusive interview to find out more about the organization's journey towards pre-emptive regulation. 

Don't miss out on a chance to win an OTC Marketing Award. The entry deadline is fast approaching ahead of the presentation ceremony in London later this year.

Just under a third of UK parents who smoke or have smoked in the past believe there isn’t enough support to quit, and nearly a quarter don’t know where to go for support, Kenvue reports, based on recent surveys. In response, the firm launches the “Smokefree Families” initiative to help the 1.8m households in England with children and at least one smoker to become smoke free. 

A recently-published study funded by the UK National Institute for Health and Care Research finds that use of OTC nasal sprays reduces overall respiratory illness duration by about a fifth. Applied at a population level, self-care could therefore save billions in healthcare and human capital costs, as industry has pointed out elsewhere, as well as redirecting people away from antibiotic treatments that are still widely misprescribed, contributing to the fight against antimicrobial resistance. 

The UK's consumer healthcare industry association, PAGB, sets out six priorities for the new UK government, following the landslide victory of the Labour Party in the recent general election. One of these priorities is driving Rx-to-OTC switch - something that the UK public also wants, according to the association's latest Self-Care Census, published to mark International Self-Care Day 2024.

UK regulator the Food Standards Agency intends to assess the risks associated with consuming supplements containing ashwagandha and to determine whether a safe level of the herb can be established. The launch of the consultation follows warnings from regulators across Europe about the safety of ashwagandha, with its consumption linked to a number of adverse health effects.

A round-up of the latest appointments in Europe's health and wellness industry: Pharma Deutschland (formerly BAH) makes two key hires; PAGB appoints vice-president; Neuraxpharm names new country head for Germany.

A round-up of the latest health and wellness industry moves: Reckitt hires chief supply officer from Beiersdorf; Weleda pharma management changes hands; Boiron names new CEO.

Good news for manufacturers selling Pharmacy "P" medicines in the UK - they will soon be able to market many of these products for self-selection in pharmacies, thanks to a surprise change by the regulator the UK General Pharmaceutical Council.

Alliance Pharma has been hit by a non-cash impairment charge of £46.4m related to its Amberen dietary supplement reflecting the brand's struggles in the US e-commerce market.

UK medical devices manufacturer Owen Mumford moves into consumer health with umbrella brand Clariti and OTC relaunch of at-home vaginismus and dyspareunia treatment Amielle Comfort.

Amended complaint filed 21 May after US Attorney General in March said the federal and state governments, named as co-plaintiffs, wouldn’t intervene and the court ordered the complaint unsealed. Complaint, initially filed in 2019, is critical of FDA, generally alleging agency failed to conduct sufficient oversight and evaluation of GSK’s testing data for ranitidine.

Bayer Consumer Health and its effervescent vitamin brand Berocca were subjects of denigratory remarks by an online competitor in a recent UK advertising complaint ruling. The ASA’s Freddie Alcock talks HBW Insight through the complaint, explaining in this exclusive interview why denigration is never a good look for advertisers.

Infirst has been admonished by UK ad authority, ASA, for implying in a TV commercial its lipid-based ibuprofen brand Flarin was more, or uniquely, effective for joint pain relief than other forms of ibuprofen.

A round-up of the latest European consumer health appointments: Haleon hires new CFO; Bayer Vital names new chief; Abdi Ibrahim appoints consumer health head.

CBD products produced by Chanelle McCoy Health and Cannaray have been given the green light by the Food Standards Agency's Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes allowing them to progress to the final stages of the regulator's lengthy approval process. Meanwhile, the Home Office has changed its policy with regards to THC in CBD, in response to an action brought against it by Jersey Hemp, clearing another barrier to making the UK market compliant.