Preview: NACDS Total Store Expo

8/21/2018
Everyone under one roof.
That is what many suppliers said is the appeal of the National Association of Chain Drug Stores Total Store Expo, set to kick off Aug. 25 at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver. The three-day event offers attendees a glimpse into the newest and best consumer goods and pharmacy technology products and services.

NACDS TSE also gives attendees the opportunity to stay abreast of the merging market, meet with key suppliers and their senior sales staff, and learn about new merchandising programs, promotions and market specials. A host of educational programs covering the latest in state-of-the art pharmacy operations also will be offered.

“TSE yields an exceptional return on investment and time,” said Rebecca Chater, director of clinical healthcare strategy at Mountain View, Calif.-based Omnicell. “Because it is so well-attended and structured for maximum productivity, I believe retailers have developed a confidence that this show will not be a waste of their time.”

Brian Budeselich, vice president of sales at PanTheryx in Boulder, Colo., said his company looks forward to exhibiting at Total Store Expo because it affords them one of the best chances of theyear to meet with retailers and establish relationships to help further grow their business.
Here’s a look at some of the key companies exhibiting at TSE this month:

Advantage Consumer Healthcare
Advantage Consumer Healthcare is an over-the-counter health care company whose focus is on helping bring new and unique products to market. The company is best known for such brands as Plan B One Step, Zicam, Mylicon, Mylanta and 23andMe, which the company said are all No. 1 items in their respective categories.

“We are proud of the fact that we have been a part of bringing so many new and significant brands to market,” said president and CEO Clark Brown. “Consumers are looking for better solutions to manage their healthcare outcomes. Together with our retail partners and our clients, we have been able to help millions of consumers find those solutions.”
At NACDS TSE, the company will be highlighting new innovation and important platforms for many of its top brands. Pain Relief with Pain Bloc24 is among the new items the company is revealing at expo, as well as an exciting launch in the ear care category.

American Greetings
Cleveland-based American Greetings will be highlighting a number of new products from its Papyrus, P.S. Hello, American Greetings Premier brands, as well as its click-and-collect offering.

Papyrus, the leader in premium card and gifting solutions, is introducing a line of fully coordinated desk accessories, entertaining products and iconic collaborations. For the first time, Papyrus is partnering with beloved characters from the Star Wars series and Mickey Mouse, delivering greeting cards with innovative treatments.

Its P.S. Hello line is proven to drive incremental purchases with bright, fun and relevant cards, while its American Greetings Premier collection fulfills the needs of shoppers looking for high-quality finishes, elaborate embellishments and warm, emotive messages. Officials at American Greetings also will be talking to retailers about its click-and-collect solutions.

“American Greetings is committed to restoring growth in the category and working together to provide solutions for engaging today’s consumer who likes to shop both in-store and online,” said Steve Laserson, senior vice president of North American sales.

Bavis
Officials at Maineville, Ohio-based Bavis will be presenting some of their custom-engineered, pharmacy-specific solutions that officials said are designed to improve accuracy, reliability and flow in drive-through.

For example, Bavis’ carrier system uniquely adjusts to different heights, allowing pharmacists to service any lane regardless of vehicle size. Large, fragile and awkwardly-sized items can be transported without issue in its high-capacity Transaction Drawer, while remote delivery is handled via its Captive Carrier.

In addition, the company’s B.E.A.M. audio system enables the retailer and patient to clearly and discreetly communicate by intelligently suppressing noise unrelated to the conversation. Finally, its system allows the patient to complete card-based/signature payments at any lane.
“Change is long overdue — we understand the mounting frustration pharmacists face when concerns of time and money are met with failed patchwork solutions,” said Ed Arwine, director of marketing and media at Bavis. “Let’s face it, it’s aggravating to deliver product through drawers that have inadequate capacity — sometimes causing 2-to-3 times as many actions to perform a single delivery. Garbled speech and the inability to hear due to generic speakers and poor-quality microphones can result in security issues — an incredibly disruptive, potentially dangerous and overall uncomfortable situation for patients.”

Boiron
Boiron is best known for such pharmaceutical grade-quality OTC products as its Arnicare line of pain relievers and Oscillococcinum flu medicine. Founded in 1932, Boiron is the largest pharmaceutical company in its home country of France. With subsidiaries in 18 countries, including the United States and Canada, Boiron distributes products in 59 countries in such categories as analgesic and arthritis, cough-cold, flu and allergies, first aid, baby and children’s, oral and eye care, indigestion, sleep aids and women’s health.

“Many shoppers are purchasing wellness OTC products in nontraditional channels, yet value being able to find them more conveniently in the places they shop the most,” said Gary Wittenberg, vice president of national accounts at the Newtown Square, Pa.-based company. “Our research shows there is an opportunity for retailers to bring over the wellness-minded shopper to capture new over-the-counter product sales and drive incremental business by stocking homeopathic medicines.”

At NACDS TSE, Boiron will be showcasing some of its best-selling products, as well as introducing some of its latest offerings, including new Arnicare line extensions — Arnicare Roll-On and Arnicare Leg Cramps chewable lemon-flavored tablets.

Elsevier
Elsevier’s drug clinical decision support solutions help pharmacists provide medication alternatives and patient education solutions, which can help reduce costs and readmissions.

With its True Daily Updates, Elsevier said it is able to process drug data on the same day it is received. Elsevier’s clinical data is managed exclusively by pharmacists, most of whom are Board of Pharmacy Specialties certified. Its PharmDs manage the clinical content for their areas of expertise, which officials said is what sets Elsevier apart from other drug compendia.

“Elsevier exclusively delivers the most current and complete drug pricing and analysis tools through True Daily Updates — improving operations and performance across the drug supply chain by supporting business decisions, competitive intelligence and cost control,” said Kay Morgan, vice president of drug products and industry standards at the Philadelphia-based company.

Elsevier’s drug information experts will be on-hand at the show to discuss how its Gold Standard Drug database can help retailers see immediate and long-term clinical, IT and operational gains.

NasoNeb
NasoNeb is best known for its patented Sinus Therapy System, an intranasal drug delivery system for people with allergies and other sinus conditions. Officials at the Medina, Ohio-based company said its NasoNeb Sinus Therapy System is preferred by customers over uncomfortable irrigation bottles, neti pots and powered irrigation devices.

“The NasoNeb Sinus Therapy System moved from prescription-only to OTC in 2018, so we are excited to be able to feature it at TSE this year,” said Bill Flickinger, president of
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