Top 2018 Health Products for the Summer
U.S. News & World Report, which is a leading publication for rankings and consumer advice, and Pharmacy Times,an established media resource for the pharmacy industry, has released the 2018 Top Recommended Health Products. Consumers and health care professionals can visit U.S. News Top Recommended Health Products and otcguide.net to see the recommendations of thousands of pharmacists for more than 1,100 over-the-counter brands by these two media establishments. The report represents 154 product categories.
As seasonal allergy symptoms continues and summer travel begins, the 2018 list of top-recommended over-the-counter products helps consumers and their families get ready to stay healthy during any summer adventure.
Returning No.1 Pharmacist Recommended Brands include:
- Sunscreen: Neutrogena
- Sun Burn Relief: Solarcaine
- Headache: Advil
- Antihistamines (Allergy): Claritin
- Children’s Allergy: Children’s Zyrtec Allergy Syrup
- Children’s Pain Relief: Children’s Tylenol
- Cough Suppressant: Delsym
- Acid Reducer: Prilosec OTC
- First Aid, Adhesive Bandages: Band-Aid
- First Aid, Topical Antibiotic: Neosporin
- Toothpaste: Crest
- Mouthwash/Rinse: Listerine
This year’s list also includes eight new product categories that, along with returning popular items, give consumers pharmacist recommendations for over-the-counter brands they need for year-round health. Non Medicated Vicks VapoInhaler is named the No. 1 recommended product in the new “Nasal-Decongestant, Inhaler” category. TylenolPM is top-recommended in the new “Sleep Aid/Analgesic Combination Products” list.
Additional Top Recommended Favorites for 2018 include:
- Immune Support: Emergen-C
- Topical Cough Suppressant, Lozenge: Cepacol
- Teething Products: Orajel Instant Relief
- Acne Products: Differin Gel
- Athlete’s Foot/Antifungal Products: Lamisil
- Dandruff Shampoo: Head & Shoulders
“Consumers turn to U.S. News when making important health decisions – from choosing a hospital or physician to selecting a Medicare plan and nursing home,” said Angela Haupt, Assistant Managing Editor of Health at U.S. News. “The Top Recommended Health Products highlight recommendations from pharmacists to help narrow the best choices, making any trip to the drugstore more informed and less overwhelming.”
Troy Trygstad, Pharmacy Times® editor-in-chief, added: “The OTC Guide provides consumers with trusted pharmacist insights on over-the-counter products. We are thrilled again to collaborate with U.S. News to offer the results of the survey to a larger audience and appreciate the time our pharmacists took to share their recommendations. ”
U.S. News and Pharmacy Times® began collaborating in 2012 to bring pharmacist recommendations to consumers nationwide. Pharmacy Times® evaluates pharmacists’ insights and preferences through an annual research program with HRA®–Healthcare Research and Analytics, a consultative health care market research practice. Through the U.S. News website, health.usnews.com/otc, consumers have an easy and searchable way to access the information produced by pharmacists’ recommendations. U.S. News displays brands that received at least 1 percent of pharmacists’ votes, but only awards a “No. 1 Pharmacist Recommended Brand” designation to top-ranked products in each category.
For more information, visit Facebook or Twitter using #OTCGuide, or otcguide.net to access the rankings and search pharmacist recommendations by symptom, product or category.
