Newsweek and BrandSpark International Announce the 3rd annual list of Over-the-Counter Brands Most Trusted by American Pharmacists

The 2024 BrandSpark/Newsweek Most Trusted by Pharmacists Awards surveyed 401 pharmacists across 36 over-the-counter product categories to identify the brands they trust the most.

NEW YORK, June 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - BrandSpark International and Newsweek are pleased to unveil the 3(rd) annual BrandSpark/Newsweek Most Trusted by Pharmacists Awards ("BMTPhA"). This year's Trust Study gathered the opinions of American Registered Healthcare Professionals actively practicing and licensed to provide OTC recommendations for maximum credibility. The study identified the most trusted brands across 36 over-the-counter product categories, growing BrandSpark's professional trust database and continuing to assist consumers in making informed shopping decisions.

Pharmacists have long been a reliable resource for consumers, offering guidance on both prescription medication and over-the-counter products. The Consumer Healthcare Products Association shows that 81% of adults use OTC medications as their first line of defense for minor ailments, and average 26 trips per year for these products, but they visit the doctor only three times in the same time span. This underscores the important role that pharmacists play in the OTC and Health purchasing experience. "This list addresses a market where consumers may feel less familiar and less confident, so offering trusted recommendations can help put them at ease during often stressful and unpleasant situations," explained Robert Levy, President of BrandSpark.

According to the BrandSpark American Shopper Study, mass retailers like Walmart and drug store chains such as Walgreens are among the most preferred channels for over-the-counter products. Additionally, there is a growing trend of consumers turning to online retailers for these needs. "We're witnessing an evolution in how consumers shop for these types of products" shared BrandSpark Associate Vice President, Adam Bellisario. "While consumers can speak directly to professionals at their local pharmacy, the BrandSpark/Newsweek Most Trusted by Pharmacists seal can be the voice of the Pharmacist when there may not be one available, like on e-commerce and in product advertising."

This year's study includes the following key segments of products: Children, Cough, Cold, & Flu, Diabetes, Ears & Eyes, Pain, Sexual Health, Skin, Stomach, and Supplements. The survey ranks up to the top three most trusted brands where there was sufficient trust share, providing consumers with a broader range of trusted options to choose from. In the 2024 list, BrandSpark introduced 24 new categories, reflective of the evolving landscape of the OTC health industry and the increasing importance of trust in these areas. New categories include Infant Pain and Fever Relief, Nerve Pain Relief, and Dehydration Relief.

Notable Trends from the 2024 BrandSpark/Newsweek Most Trusted by Pharmacists Awards:

    1. Opill achieved the highest trust score in the study at 92%, with a 90%
       margin over the #2 ranked brand. This underscores its strong position as
       the first OTC birth control pill in the USA.
    2. Cough, Cold, & Flu is the list's most competitive segment, featuring two
       three-way ties: Mucinex, Robitussin, and Tylenol tied for #2 in Cough,
       Cold & Flu Multisymptom Relief, and Hyland's Naturals, Sambucol, and
       Zicam tied for #2 in Homeopathic Cold & Flu Treatment.
    3. This year's study included multiple Homeopathic Categories such as
       Homeopathic Cold & Flu Treatment and Homeopathic Topical Cream/Gel for
       Pain Relief, highlighting the variety of trusted options available for
       different consumer lifestyles.
    4. Laxative brand Dulcolax ties with MiraLAX for Most Trusted Laxative
       brand. The two brands tied in 2022 and the former overtook the latter in
       2023, highlighting the competitiveness of the category dominated by these
       two brands.

Newsweek is publishing these results to allow millions of Americans to leverage this list. Visit www.newsweek.com/rankings/most-trusted-pharmacists-otc-brands-america-2024 to see the ranking, and find it in the July 5(th), 2024 print edition of Newsweek Magazine.

The 2024 BrandSpark/Newsweek Most Trusted by Pharmacists Awards winners are listed below (brands in a tie are presented in alphabetical order and an asterisk beside a category indicates that it is new for the 2024 survey). See details at www.BrandSparkMostTrusted.com/usa and contact us for more information on any category.


                                                  
     
     Children


                     
            
              Category                     Most Trusted Rank         Most Trusted Rank         Most Trusted Rank
                                                                              #1                        #2                        #3



     Children's Cough & Cold Relief                            Children's Dimetapp           Children's
                                                                                               Robitussin           Mucinex Children's



     Children's Immune System Support                        
          Airborne           
         Emergen-C           
          Zarbee's



     Children's Liquid Cough Suppressant                        Children's Delsym            Children's
                                                                                               Robitussin           Children's Dimetapp



     Children's Pain & Fever Relief                            Children's Tylenol         Children's Motrin



     Children's Sleep Support                                
          Zarbee's             Children's Benadryl



     Infant Pain & Fever Relief                                 Infants' Tylenol           Infants' Motrin


                                                                             
     
     Cough, Cold, & Flu


                                            
              
                Category                                Most Trusted Rank               Most Trusted Rank #2  Most Trusted Rank
                                                                                                                    #1                                             #3



     Cold Shortener                                                                                 
          Zicam                
              Cold-EEZE



     Cough, Cold, & Flu Multisymptom Relief                                                           Vicks DayQuil /        Mucinex /Robitussin /Tylenol (3-way
                                                                                                           NyQuil                              tie)



     Cough, Cold, & Flu Multisymptom Relief for High Blood Pressure                                    Coricidin HBP



     Homeopathic Cold & Flu Treatment                                                              
          Boiron             Hyland's Naturals /Sambucol /Zicam
                                                                                                                                           (3-way tie)



     Liquid Cough Suppressant                                                                      
          Delsym               
              Robitussin


                                          
     
     Diabetes


         
              
                Category            Most Trusted Rank    Most Trusted Rank Most Trusted Rank
                                                             #1                   #2         #3



     Continuous Glucose Monitor                FreeStyle Libre        
     Dexcom


                      
        
            Ears & Eyes


             Category          Most Trusted Rank            Most Trusted Rank #2 Most Trusted Rank
                                       #1                                                #3


     Contact
     Lenses              
        Acuvue             
           Bausch + Lomb


     Earache                 Similasan             Debrox /Hyland's Naturals
     Relief                                                   (tie)


     Eye
     Drops              
        Systane                 Refresh /Visine (tie)


                           
     
        Miscellaneous


                  Category        Most Trusted Rank      Most Trusted Rank       Most Trusted Rank
                                          #1                     #2                      #3


      Dehydration
      Relief                    Pedialyte             Liquid I.V.          
       Gatorade


     Sleep
      Aid                     
      Unisom             
      Benadryl              Vicks ZzzQuil


                                                            
     
     Pain


                           
              
                Category                  Most Trusted Rank    Most Trusted Rank Most Trusted Rank
                                                                                     #1                   #2         #3



     Homeopathic Topical Cream/Gel for Pain Relief                  
         Arnicare



     Leg Cramp Relief                                                 Hyland's Naturals



     Nerve Pain Relief                                              
         Nervive



     Pain Relief Patch                                              
         Salonpas            Aspercreme


                                                          
     
     Sexual Health


                         
              
                Category                          Most Trusted Rank #1      Most Trusted Rank   Most Trusted Rank
                                                                                                                     #2                  #3



     Emergency Contraceptive Pill (Morning After)                             Plan B One-Step



     Over-the-Counter Birth Control Pill                                    
           Opill



     Ovulation Test                                                       
           Clearblue            First Response



     Pregnancy Test                                                           Clearblue /First
                                                                                Response (tie)                                 
     e.p.t



     
                Skin



     
                Category                       Most Trusted Rank              Most Trusted Rank Most Trusted Rank
                                                   #1                             #2                #3



     Moisturizer for Itchy or Dry Skin 
     CeraVe                    Aveeno /Eucerin
                                                                     (tie)



     Scar & Stretch Mark Treatment     
     Mederma



     
                Stomach



     
                Category                  Most Trusted Rank #1                Most Trusted Rank                Most Trusted Rank
                                                                                  #2                               #3



     Acid Reducer            
     Pepcid                              Prilosec OTC



     Heartburn Relief        
     Tums                              
     Pepcid                           Prilosec OTC



     Laxative                  Dulcolax /MiraLAX
                                 (tie)                                                             
     Senokot



     Nausea Treatment/Relief 
     Emetrol                             Dramamine                        Pepto-Bismol


                                            
     
     Supplements


            
              
               Category               Most Trusted Rank      Most Trusted Rank #2 Most Trusted Rank
                                                                                                              #3

                                                                  #1



     Joint Health Supplement                         Osteo Bi-Flex



     Memory Support Supplement                         Prevagen



     Niacin Supplement                                Nature Made           Nature's Bounty



     Women's Probiotic Supplement                     Culturelle           Align Probiotics /
                                                        Probiotics            Florajen (tie)

How winners are determined

401 pharmacists practicing in the United States determined the BrandSpark/Newsweek Most Trusted by Pharmacists Awards winners for 2024 through their unaided write-in citations, as if they were giving their suggestions in the pharmacy. The highest share of citations as Most Trusted in the category determined the winner, with other brands ranked based on share where at least 8% of citations was received. If the margin of citation share was less than 3% between brands, then a tie was declared.

About BrandSpark International and Best New Product Awards Inc.

Founded in 2001, BrandSpark International is an independent marketing research firm that combines omni-channel consumer insights with competitive context, providing insights that are actionable in the real world. BrandSpark helps clients refine brand positioning, build trust, and improve success with new product launches. As one of the research-backed, highly accredited awards programs run by Best New Product Awards Inc., the Newsweek/BrandSpark Most Trusted by Pharmacists Awards, now in its 3(rd) year, is the only list of its kind in America which identifies the brands pharmacists trust most in over-the-counter product categories, as determined by American Pharmacists through their top-of-mind responses.

Permission and authorization from Best New Product Awards Inc. are required to reference the BrandSpark/Newsweek Most Trusted by Pharmacists Awards win or use the claim or logo in any communication.

For licensing inquiries, interview requests and complimentary insights from the study contact: Adam Bellisario, Associate Vice-President, BrandSpark Most Trusted & Best New Product Awards Inc. ABellisario@BrandSpark.com.

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