News and Market Trends

Nature’s answer to antibiotic resistance

Recent fears about antimicrobial resistance to drug therapies and its impact on global health have heightened debate in the medical profession about possible solutions.

Chief Medical Officer Dame Sally Davies has referred to antibiotic resistance as “a ticking time bomb” and an issue as “important as climate change for the world.”

This is an opportunity for the medical profession to find valuable assistance from the natural world.“There are natural ways in which individuals can prevent infections and reduce the spread of superbugs,” said Erin McCann, a columnist for this magazine and Nutrition Consultant to Unbeelievable Health Ltd.

Diabetes UK urges health check

Diabetes UK has warned that a further 700,000 people in Britain will be diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes by 2020, taking the total to 4.4m. The charity has called on the Government to launch an awareness campaign to persuade people to overhaul their lifestyle.

About 3.7m people already have Type 2 diabetes, including 850,000 who may have it without knowing. The increase will put severe strain on NHS resources, 10% of which are already devoted to dealing with consequences of the condition.

Meanwhile, a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled parallel group study conducted by the Leibniz University of Hanover, Germany, points the way for an effective treatment for hypercholesterolemia (high blood cholesterol levels) and reduced risk of diabetic complications.

Natural moves on the pharmacy dance floor

Ketan Shah at The Pharmacy Show 2012

An unprecedented 49 natural products companies out of a total of 350 exhibitors showcased their products and services at The Pharmacy Show, NEC Birmingham.

This is a quantum leap from just a handful last year and signifies not only an awareness among product innovators of the reach of the pharmacy channel, but also the importance that independent pharmacists now attach to the validity of natural products as adjunct therapies.

I felt compelled to be there for both days after previewing the list of natural products companies featured. I also had interesting conversations with personnel from some natural products companies who were not exhibiting but had their curiosity piqued sufficiently to want to see what the buzz was all about.

From a manufacturer’s perspective, it was clear that that the competition in all industries was raising the bar in innovation, quality of the science, merchandising creativity and retailer education. Worthiness was out, scientific proof was in.

Click here to read on.

The Echinacea Issue Unravelled

While pharmacies have no choice but to withdraw children’s Echinacea following the MHRA guidance that it should not be given to under 12s, many will be fuming at the shaky evidence provided.

MHRA indicated that ‘this is not a serious safety issue’ and that ‘parents should not worry if they have given Echinacea to children under 12 in the past’.

The monograph used to justify the decision was published over four years ago in March 2008 and states that traditional use of Echinacea for those under 12 years is not recommended. But it also states that as a well-established use medicine, ‘specific risk in children over one year of age is not documented’ - in other words, there is no data on any specific risk when Echinacea is used by children over the age of one.

Natural Pharmacy Magazine announces exclusive media sponsor deal with Pharmacy Show.

Natural Pharmacy has been appointed the exclusive media sponsor representing the natural products industry at Pharmacy Show 2012, which takes place at the NEC Birmingham on 30th September and 1st October. Our branding will appear throughout the event and in all marketing materials for the show, plus we will have our own stand, where we will not just have copies of the magazine, but where we will be displaying all the products in our Natural Pharmacy Awards for visitors to vote on their favourites.

Stuart Jackson, MD of Natural Pharmacy Magazine commented:

"Having received and read our magazine, Pharmacy Show approached us to be their exclusive media partner from the natural products industry. They clearly recognised the high standard of editorial and were impressed by both our understanding of the market and by our nationwide database of independent pharmacists and suppliers.

We are very pleased to be associated with this well established and successful event."

Matthew Butler, Event Director of The Pharmacy Show said:

"We are thrilled to be working with Natural Pharmacy Magazine and the team behind it. The Pharmacy Show has always supported the Natural Health Market and worked to promote this fast growing category and related exhibitors to our delegates, through stand-alone marketing and through its education proposition. This partnership will go even further to cement the importance of this industry and the opportunities the show presents."

VMS - there is a pulse!

The news is "good in parts" with some sectors of the VMS market enduring the recession better than others.

According to market analyst Key Note, the market for multivitamins and single vitamins has been growing for a number of years. The best-selling vitamin products included multivitamins, vitamins B and C. By contrast, sales of fish oils and plant oils have been dwindling over the past few years but would revive with a fresh consumer message about their value.

A consumer survey commissioned by Key Note indicated that nearly a third of the UK population takes some form of VMS product regularly. Among regular users, 72.5% believed that cod liver oil or other fish oils would keep their joints supple, while 60.1% believed taking multivitamins or single vitamins can make up for deficiencies in their diets. A further 41.2% of the regular users thought that glucosamine was beneficial to their joints and muscles.