OverTheCounterToday

OTC/Nutritional News From "The Tan Sheet": Advocates Refile Plan B Lawsuit; Plan B Available in University Vending Machine; Korea’s Wider OTC Access Stalls

This Week In OTCs And Nutritionals: FDA Inspects Novartis, Pfizer Likes Consumer Fit, CHPA Quantifies OTCs' Value

The Feb. 6 issue of "The Tan Sheet" examines the recent inspection report that suggests FDA influenced Novartis Consumer Health's decisions to cease production at its Nebraska facility in December and recall OTC products in January.

As earnings season continues, we look at Pfizer's plans for its consumer health business -- which increased sales 8% in the fourth quarter -- once it divests the nutritionals and animal health segments.

Elsewhere in this week's edition, we delve into a study sponsored by the Consumer Healthcare Products Association to reveal the full economic value of OTC drugs. Additionally, we've got stories on Johnson & Johnson's latest consumer personnel changes, a follow-up on FDA's pediatric review of Plan B One-Step, and a cover story on the agency's tendency to make broad policy statements via guidance documents -- such as the new dietary ingredient notification draft.

 

This blog is brought to you by "The Tan Sheet," your go-to weekly source for OTC and nutritional news and analysis. For information on a free 30-day trial subscription, click here -- no credit card required.

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OTC/Nutritional News From "The Tan Sheet": J&J Personnel Changes, Vitacost Brand Overhaul, PPI Fracture Study

 

This news roundup is brought to you by "The Tan Sheet," your go-to weekly source for OTC and nutritional news and analysis. For information on a free 30-day trial subscription, click here -- no credit card required.

Also, follow "The Tan Sheet" on Twitter and Facebook.

This Week In OTCs And Nutritionals: Plan B Pediatric Analysis, Class Action Claims, Supplement Industry Year Ahead

This week, "The Tan Sheet" examines FDA's review of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries' Plan B One-Step levonorgestrel product, and its determination that the emergency contraceptive does not raise pediatric safety concerns. The agency's Pediatric Advisory Committee is meeting this week to discuss Plan B and other drugs.

Our Jan. 30 issue also features coverage of the Food and Drug Law Institute's Food Week, including a discussion of what makes functional food and supplement companies vulnerable to class action lawsuits.

"The Tan Sheet" additionally checks in with supplement industry leaders on what to expect in 2012, and looks back at 2011 via the full-year financial results from Johnson & Johnson, Novartis, Procter & Gamble, and more.

 

This blog is brought to you by "The Tan Sheet," your go-to weekly source for OTC and nutritional news and analysis. For information on a free 30-day trial subscription, click here -- no credit card required.

Also, follow "The Tan Sheet" on Twitter and Facebook.

This Week In OTCs And Nutritionals: Pfizer Launches Nutrition Site, Valeant Snaps Up OTCs, FDA Elevates Supplement GMPs

The Jan. 23 issue of "The Tan Sheet" features a look at Pfizer's launch of nutritionpossible.com, a website designed to educate consumers about dietary supplements as well as drive interest in the company's Centrum vitamin brand.

This week's edition also examines how consumer health products play into the amibitious growth goals of Valeant Pharmaceuticals and checks in on CMP Therapeutics, a U.K. start-up preparing to introduce an OTC nasal spray derived from chitin.

Additionally, "The Tan Sheet" has stories on FDA's elevated expectations for supplement good manufacturing practices in 2012, cooperation among supplement trade groups, and more.

This blog is brought to you by "The Tan Sheet," your go-to weekly source for OTC and nutritional news and analysis. For information on a free 30-day trial subscription, click here -- no credit card required.

Also, follow "The Tan Sheet" on Twitter and Facebook.

OTC/Nutritional News From "The Tan Sheet": Omega-3s And Depression, USP Floats Probiotics Standards, California Limits DXM Sales

This news roundup is brought to you by "The Tan Sheet," your go-to weekly source for OTC and nutritional news and analysis. For information on a free 30-day trial subscription, click here. No credit card required.

Also, follow "The Tan Sheet" on Twitter and Facebook.

 

This Week In OTCs & Nutritionals: Ring In The New Year ... And The Old

The New Year starts with a bang as FDA reveals new enforcement against an ingredient banned from use in supplements and as several companies embrace new brands and strategies in an attempt to start 2012 on the right foot.

Just in time for New Year’s diet resolutions, FDA announces the seizure of products adulterated with ephedrine alkaloids – a move that sends a strong deterrence message. An agency official acknowledges other products likely contain the illegal and undeclared diet aid and that FDA will seek these as part of its enforcement against spiked supplements.

Meanwhile, ProPhase Labs’ CEO Ted Karkus discusses the firm’s plans for 2012 and beyond, including several line extensions for Cold-EEZE and new products that use the state-of-the-art delivery technology available to ProPhase through a joint venture with the Australian delivery technology firm Phosphagenics Ltd. Prestige Brands also hopes to expand its offerings in 2012 by closing the acquisition of 17 brands from GlaxoSmithKline, including BC and Goody’s brands.

Finally, we also take a look back at the most read topics of 2011, including how Johnson & Johnson handled quality control problems, the mystery of Pfizer’s consumer division’s future and the future of Rx-to-OTC switches.

Ensure you stay ahead in 2012 by making “The Tan Sheet” your go-to weekly source for OTC and nutritional news and analysis. For a free 30-day trial subscription, click here. No credit card required. Also, follow "The Tan Sheet" on Twitter and Facebook.

Happy New Year From "The Tan Sheet"!

 

From all of us at "The Tan Sheet," enjoy a happy and healthy new year. We look forward to 2012, our 20th year of publishing(!), as we continue to provide you with the latest and most insightful coverage of the nonprescription pharmaceutical and nutritional industries.

See below for the top stories from the Dec. 19 issue, our final of 2011. For a complete table of contents, and to sign up for a free trial subscription, click here -- no credit card required.

Also, follow the latest OTC drug and nutritional news via "The Tan Sheet" on Twitter and Facebook.

This Week In OTCs And Nutritionals: A Cold Front Chills Industry

The temperatures outside are dropping, but Jack Frost is not responsible for the cooling relationship between FDA and the dietary supplement industry. Trade groups respond icily to new dietary ingredient notification draft guidance that they say contravenes the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act. Most groups agree FDA should rewrite the guidance, but “The Tan Sheet” combs through individual comments to highlight the finer points.

HHS Secretary Sebelius also sent a chill through the drug industry when she blocked Teva Pharmaceutical Industry’s attempted full OTC switch of emergency contraceptive Plan B. We look at why Sebelius overrode FDA’s recommendation to make the pill available OTC to all females of childbearing age, and analyze the potential impact the interference could have on future switch attempts and the potential creation of a third drug class.

We also look at FDA’s enforcement priorities for the New Year and its progress on foreign food facility inspections.

Don't get caught out in the cold. Make "The Tan Sheet" your go-to weekly source for OTC and nutritional news and analysis. For a free 30-day trial subscription, click here. No credit card required. Also, follow "The Tan Sheet" on Twitter and Facebook.

This Week In OTCs And Nutritionals: Trade Groups Rip NDI Guidance, Perrigo’s Prevacid Push-Back, GAO Finds Adulteration Disconnect At FDA

The reviews are in for FDA's new dietary ingredient notification draft guidance, and they aren't pretty. In comments submitted to the agency late last week, the Council for Responsible Nutrition and Consumer Healthcare Products Association call for the controversial guidance to be pulled and rewritten. The Natural Products Association also takes issue with FDA's "overstepping" of the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act. This week's "Tan Sheet" has the details.

Our Dec. 5 issue also has an exclusive look at Perrigo's citizen petition to FDA that would, in effect, create obstacles for competing generic versions of Novartis' Prevacid 24HR OTC proton pump inhibitor.

Elsewhere in Tan, we describe what went into Embria Health Sciences' successful NDI submission for its EpiCor ingredient, review the Government Accountability Office's recommendations for FDA's economic adulteration initiatives, and catch up with NBTY's efforts to expand in the sports nutrition category.

 

Make "The Tan Sheet" your go-to weekly source for OTC and nutritional news and analysis. For information on a free 30-day trial subscription, click here. No credit card required.

Also, follow "The Tan Sheet" on Twitter and Facebook.