News Briefs

One of Perrigo’s products is making the switch from Rx to OTC.

The company recently shared that its Nasonex 24HR Allergy product has received final approval from the United States Food and Drug Administration for over-the-counter use.

This approval marks the first branded Rx-to-OTC switch for the company and paves the way for Nasonex to enter the OTC marketplace, the company said.

“This first Rx-to-OTC switch for Nasonex represents our continued focus on providing quality, affordable self-care products that consumers know and trust. It also epitomizes the strength of our internal innovation, R&D and regulatory capabilities,” Perrigo executive vice president and president, consumer self-care Americas, Jim Dillard said. “Successfully bringing Rx-to-OTC switches to market expands offerings available to consumers, enhances offerings for our retail partners and continues to differentiate Perrigo in the marketplace.”

Perrigo is expecting to begin offering Nasonex 24HR Allergy later in 2022, the company said.

Lightlife is continuing to expand its plant-based offerings with a brand-new launch.

The latest from the Chicago-based company are the Tempeh Cubes.

Featuring the protein-packed, plant-based power of tempeh, the new product is made with three simple ingredients — fermented soybeans, brown rice and water.

Containing protein, fiber and nine essential amino acids, the Tempeh Cubes are available in three marinated varieties — teriyaki, southwest and tikka masala, the company said.

“Tempeh is a nutrient dense, versatile food, continuing to gain popularity,” Jitendra Sagili, chief R&D and food technology officer of Greenleaf Foods, SPC said. “The launch of Lightlife Tempeh Cubes simplifies meal preparation with a bite-sized, flavor forward and ready-to-heat product design, offering a convenient meal solution that the whole family can enjoy. These new products further expand our marinated tempeh line which currently includes smoky and buffalo tempeh strips, providing consumers with recognizable flavors and a convenient format to easily incorporate into a wide variety of meal options.”

Each pre-cut and pre-seasoned offering contains 13 g of protein per serving, the company said.

Currently, Lightlife’s Tempeh Cubes are available online at Amazon.com, Sprouts, New Seasons and Albertsons retail locations in Southern California. Additional availability regionally includes Giant and Whole Foods Market locations nationwide in April.

Ben & Jerry’s announced that it is bringing back a pint from its Flavor Graveyard.

The Burlington, Vt.-based company announced that Dublin Mudslide is returning from the beyond with a new spirit.

Featuring Irish ice cream, Dublin Mudslide contains white chocolate chip cookies and coffee fudge swirls, as well as a new spirit made from whey, a nutrient-rich liquid left from making cheese, the company said.

Wheyward Spirit, which has been described as a mesh between sake and vodka, is a company that also emphasizes sustainability and local dairy farms, which made it a natural whey sourcing partner for Ben & Jerry’s.

“Aside from being uniquely delicious, using excess whey as the base for our spirit helps us prevent food waste and creates a more sustainable model of spirit production,” Emily Darchuk, founder and CEO of Wheyward Spirit said. “I am thrilled to partner with Ben & Jerry’s to bring back a fan favorite with the same taste and less waste, using our signature spirit.”

Currently, Dublin Mudslide retails from $5.19 to $5.99 and can be found in supermarket freezers across the country.

The American Pharmacists Association shared that it is committed to facilitating meaningful dialogue between pharmacy management, pharmacy team members and other stakeholders that result in improved workplaces, well-being and ability to meet ethical obligations to patient safety. The COVID-19 pandemic has amplified workplace and well-being issues, and the needs of community pharmacy teams that must be addressed, APhA said.

A first step in the process was the APhA Community Pharmacy Workplace Summit, held in late February 2022, which brought together 46 diverse pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, employers, stakeholders and organizations representing more than 30,000 community pharmacy practice sites. The stakeholders identified practical approaches to improve the community-based pharmacy workplace, practitioner well-being and patient care expectations, as well as addressing challenges in meeting healthcare needs.

“There is no magic wand to quickly fix all the root causes. We must maintain our focus on supporting a resilient and productive workforce in community pharmacies that meets patient care needs and operates under a sustainable business model, without stress and burnout in the workplace,” Scott Knoer, executive vice president and CEO of APhA, said. “Pharmacy team members want to safely take care of patients with a work-life balance and—most of all—feel appreciated.”

Summit participants explored general observations prompted by APhA-provided resources and approaches used within their practices. APhA resources included:

• Well-being Index for Pharmacy Personnel;
• Pharmacist’s Fundamental Responsibilities and Rights;
• APhA/NASPA National Pharmacy Workforce Survey;
• Pharmacy Workplace & Well-being Reporting Service; and
• APhA Pulse Survey on COVID-19.

A report summarizing the issues and ideas identified during the summit for stakeholder consideration will be released in the following weeks, the organization said.