News Briefs

Amber Specialty Pharmacy is now a partner of WeInfuse’s Specialty Pharmacy Connect Program. This partnership and integration will provide infusion centers with direct ordering access of specialty prescription medications and will reduce administrative burdens associated with payer-mandated specialty pharmacy requirements.

Amber Specialty Pharmacy provides personalized and reliable care to those with complex and chronic conditions with a dedicated team that can guide patients through this new process. Amber Specialty Pharmacy cares for patients in all 50 U.S. states and Puerto Rico with its 19 physical locations and has been proudly serving patients for 25 years, the company said.

“The Amber Specialty Pharmacy team is excited for this partnership and integration with WeInfuse,” said Kristin Williams, president of Amber Specialty Pharmacy. “We believe it will bring easier access when ordering through our specialty pharmacy and will provide a more streamlined approach to the entire process for all WeInfuse clients. Having the ability to link the order with the client’s inventory system will be extremely beneficial for everyone involved. Amber looks forward to simplifying the process for infusion centers.”

The SpecRx electronic ordering integration is set to go live in 2023. This feature will work alongside WeInfuse’s existing predictive inventory tool and will allow infusion clinics to order specialty pharmacy medications directly from the WeInfuse Specialty Pharmacy Inventory Management module. While the eOrder integration may take several months to develop, WeInfuse clients will immediately be provided with dedicated Amber Specialty Pharmacy phone, fax and email lines of communication.

“Unlike with Buy & Bill distributors, specialty pharmacies have historically had very little in the way of personalized customer service,” said Bryan Johnson, CEO and co-founder of WeInfuse. “We are excited to be working with Amber’s team, who will provide a white-glove and truly customer-centric service for our mutual clients. With the WeInfuse and Amber integration, we will be taking the specialty pharmacy experience to a new level.”

Mars’ popular Snickers brand is entering with nutrition performance category with a line of protein bars.

Snickers Hi Protein Bars, which contain chocolate, caramel and peanut ingredients, are packed with 20 g of protein per serving, the company said.

“Mars is consumer obsessed, and after talking with many consumers through the product development process, it was clear that the performance nutrition category was missing one key ingredient — delicious tasting products,’ said Michelle Deignan, senior brand director at Mars Wrigley. "With the demand for delicious tasting protein bars increasing, Snickers Hi Protein Bars are guaranteed to be a hit whether you work out avidly, casually or are looking for a delicious snack with more protein.”

Consumers can get their hands on Snickers Hi Protein Bars in January 2023 at select retailers. It will expand to additional retailers in the coming year.

Chips Ahoy! is looking ahead to 2023 and its upcoming 60^th birthday celebration by previewing a brand new launch — Chewy Confetti Cake Cookies.

“We all know that Chips Ahoy! is here for the happy. Now, for its 60th birthday, it’s here for the party!” said Natalie Gadbois, senior brand manager for Chips Ahoy! “Our chewy cookies introduce new tastes, flavors and sensory experiences that we know Gen-Z looks for, while still keeping the same, familiar Chips Ahoy! cookie quality fans of all ages have come to know and love. With colorful rainbow sprinkles mixed in with irresistible confetti cake flavor, Chips Ahoy! Chewy Confetti Cake Flavored Cookies taste great on their own or can be paired with ice cream for one deliciously happy treat!”

Featuring rainbow sprinkles and a confetti cake flavor, Chips Ahoy! Chewy Confetti Cake Cookies will be available in stores nationwide beginning in January for a suggested retail price of $4.99.

Bare Performance Nutrition is embracing the holiday spirit with new flavors of several of its popular products.

New additions include Strawberry Whey Protein, Orange Dreamsicle Peak Sleep and Strawberry Electrolyte Drink Mix.

“The holiday season is filled with overly rich, calorie-laden treats that are great on the surface but leave us feeling tired, unmotivated, and generally not so merry. It was my goal this year to expand fan-favorite offerings by introducing novel flavors that invoke childhood nostalgia but without any guilt,” said Nick Bare, founder of BPN. “There's no doubt these sweet and year-round flavors will provide a refreshing break from yet another year of your great aunt's 'world-famous' fruit cakes.”

The Strawberry Whey Protein Powder contains a blend of 88% whey and 12$ casein protein. The Strawberry Electrolyte Drink Mix works to help support hydration needs, improving performance and reducing fatigue. Lastly, the Orange Dreamsicle Peak Sleep aims to promote rest and recovery, the company said.

Bare Performance Nutrition’s new launches are available for purchase online.

Power Life is debuting a new addition to its performance-enhancing products — Peak Replenish.

Made with electrolytes to help promote increased hydration as well as physical performance so users can fuel energy while nutrients are delivered. It also aids the body to rebuild muscles and reduce post-exercise muscle soreness, the company said.  

Featuring BetaPower derived from beets to help support cellular hydration, it also contains CocOganic Plus from freeze-dried coconut water for its mix of essential electrolytes; GivoMag to supply the body with magnesium; Aquamin to provide calcium and 72 other trace minerals; and essential electrolytes to keep cells hydrated.

Currently, Power Life Peak Replenish is available for purchase online for a suggested retail price of $59.95.

Philadelphia’s signature cream cheese spread is going the plant-based route.

The Chicago-based company recently shared news of its latest innovation — Philadelphia Plant-Based.

“The influx of flexitarian consumers has driven growth within the plant-based market, which is now more than 20 times the size of the vegan population,” said Robert Scott, president of research and development at Kraft Heinz. “As the brand that has set the cream cheese standard for 150 years, we realized the current options weren’t meeting consumer expectations and there was no trusted leader. Philadelphia Plant-Based spread not only provides a solution that mirrors the taste and texture of our iconic Philadelphia brand, but it also reinforces Kraft Heinz’s bet to bring plant-based offerings to the masses.”

Featuring a recipe that mirrors the taste and texture of the iconic cream cheese, this plant-based option is made with simple ingredients, does not contain added flavors or dyes, and is free of dairy, lactose and gluten, the company said.

Currently, Philadelphia Plant-Based is available for purchase at select retailers in the southeast and will expand with additional flavors for a national rollout in the summer of 2023.