AccentHealth found that more than half of viewers make personal product purchases when filling a prescription at the pharmacy, according to an online survey of almost 700 AccentHealth viewers conducted in April. There is opportunity for growth as 7-out-of-10 consumers indicated that they are likely to purchase beauty and hygiene products when filling a prescription in the future.

Health benefits are among the top characteristics playing a role in personal product selection, according to an online survey of almost 700 AccentHealth viewers conducted in April. More than three-quarters of shoppers consider the health benefits when buying a health, beauty or hygiene product.

Three-in-five consumers indicate that looking their best is an important part of how they measure overall health, according to an online survey of almost 700 AccentHealth viewers conducted in April. However, this figure grows to 73% among those who are most proactive about wellness.

While beauty may be in the eye of the beholder, this month's Patient Views seeks to better understand beauty in the eye of the patient.

Among users of retailer apps, 77% report they are likely to increase their frequency of use or use new features, according to a recent online survey of more than 600 AccentHealth viewers. Cost-saving seekers will continue to fuel future app usage (67%); however, significant interest in less commonly used tools today — such as live expert chatting (30%), bar code scanning (55%) and prescription regimen management (46%) — are expected to contribute to growth in app use.

Consumers using mobile devices in-store are most often in search of savings, with the majority (91%) comparing prices online or at other stores while shopping, according to a recent online survey of more than 600 AccentHealth viewers. Following price, product availability searches at another location (60%) is the next most popular reason for device use while in-store.

When it comes to medical treatment, healthcare professionals remain the most trusted source for information. According to a recent online survey of more than 600 AccentHealth viewers, 64% of viewers cite their healthcare professional as their source of information for prescription medicines, while 31% say they go to healthcare professionals for information on OTCs.

Web searches, app usage and product information searches top the charts for smart device usage, according to a recent online survey of more than 600 AccentHealth viewers. As many as 91% of smart-device users visited a search engine over the past 30 days, while 85% reported using an app and 83% searched for a product.

Smart device usage has become an active part of in-store shopping. According to a recent poll of Accent-Health smart device owners, nearly 3-out-of-5 have used their phone or tablet to aid in product selection while shopping in-store.

As many as 72% of consumers use vitamins and dietary supplements, according to an online survey of more than 900 AccentHealth viewers conducted in late 2012. Those most likely to report supplement use include women and all consumers over the age of 55 years.

While pharmacists are reported as the primary source of information on OTCs, doctors are the ‘go-to’ on vitamins and dietary supplements, according to an online survey of more than 900 AccentHealth viewers conducted in late 2012. Two-in-5 survey participants reported that they were primarily given information about their supplements from their doctor, followed by 28% who received that information from a friend or relative, and 18% who researched their supplements online.

As many as 72% of consumers use vitamins and dietary supplements, according to an online survey of more than 900 AccentHealth viewers conducted in late 2012. The most likely to report supplement use included women and all consumers older than 55 years.