McKesson debuts Foster & Thrive private brand line

IRVING, Texas — McKesson has launched Foster & Thrive, a curated private brand of over-the-counter (O-T-C) health and wellness products. Launching Foster & Thrive unifies the company’s private brand portfolio—consolidating Health Mart and Sunmark branded O-T-C products—to offer expanded availability through increased production volumes and efficiencies that will help meet evolving patient needs and growing demand.

According to the Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA), 8 in 10 consumers use O-T-C medicines to relieve their symptoms for a range of illnesses. Additionally, today’s consumers are increasingly turning to private label O-T-C products to manage their health, given a number of factors, such as price and recognizing quality is equivalent to national brands.

“With nearly 200 years of supply chain excellence, McKesson is uniquely positioned to meet this growing demand for private label products that pharmacists, patients and caregivers can depend on,” said Peter Koo, vice president, general manager, Pharmacy and Healthcare Solutions, McKesson. “Foster & Thrive offers pharmacists and their customers selectively sourced products that meet the quality standards of a health care leader. It’s important that products work, and equally important today’s customers can easily find those they need.”

Health and Wellness Products Beyond the Box

McKesson says it considered every aspect of the customers’ journey—in and out of the pharmacy—and thoughtfully crafted four product categories to help patients find the items they need:

• Acute Care – to relieve temporary illnesses such as allergies, pain, cold and flu, digestion, and smoking cessation
• Diagnostic Care – to check and track symptoms and vital signs with diagnostic products like thermometers and blood pressure monitors
• Everyday Care – to help mend everyday ailments with products for first aid, daily living support, feminine care, and cosmetics
• Preventative Care – to help ensure continued health and wellness through vitamins that support immunity, nutrition, and other personal needsMcKesson’s goal is to seamlessly transition Health Mart and Sunmark items to the new Foster & Thrive brand by category. The transition will begin in July 2023 and continue through October 2024.

Community pharmacists attending the McKesson ideaShare conference, from June 22-25 in Las Vegas, are encouraged to visit the Foster & Thrive booth #300 to experience the new brand through the eyes of consumers and patients.