Irving-based healthcare services giant McKesson Corp. has launched a curated private brand of over-the-counter health and wellness products to meet the growing and changing needs of consumers.
McKesson, which moved its headquarters to Irving from San Francisco in 2019, is No. 9 on the Fortune 500 list.
Its new brand, Foster & Thrive, unifies McKesson’s private brand portfolio—consolidating Health Mart and Sunmark branded OTC products— to offer greater availability through increased production and efficiencies to help meet evolving patient needs and growing demand, the company said.
‘Selectively sourced products’
Some of McKesson’s over-the-counter Foster & Thrive products. [Photo: McKesson]
“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,” Peter Koo, VP and GM of pharmacy & healthcare solutions for the company, said in a statement. “Foster & Thrive offers pharmacists and their customers selectively sourced products that meet the quality standards of a healthcare leader. It’s important that products work, and equally important today’s customers can easily find those they need.”
Citing the Consumer Healthcare Products Association, McKesson said that 8 in 10 consumers use OTC medicines to relieve their symptoms for a range of illnesses. The company said that today’s consumers are turning more and more to private label OTC products to manage their health because of factors such as price and recognizing the quality is equivalent to national brands.
McKesson created 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 the 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 needs
McKesson said that its goal is to seamlessly transition Health Mart and Sunmark items to the new Foster & Thrive brand by category beginning in July and continuing through October 2024.
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