HBW Insight extracts five key lessons from 2020, the year the coronavirus pandemic swept its way across Europe. 

In Germany, a draft reguation circulated to industry associations proposes the sale of COVID-19 antigen tests directly to the public. If the amendment to Germany's medical devices regulations is approved, the onus will be on manufacturers to submit viable tests for approval, with the country's in-vitro testing industry association suggesting that this could be achieved in a matter of weeks. 

Viartris hopes its Viagra Connect two-pack will encourage British men to seek treatment for erectile dysfunction. 

“You can’t just live off the brand equity anymore,” warned J&J's Consumer Health's Manoj Raghunandanan during the ‘Advancing Trust in the Self-Care Industry’ webinar co-hosted by the Global Self-Care Federation and HBW Insight. “You’ve got to continue to build that trust between consumers and products day-in day-out.”

The Global Self-Care Federation is looking to consolidate the shift towards self-care seen during the pandemic by promoting trust, innovation and growth in policy. An upcoming webinar hosted by the GSCF will also explore the theme of "Advancing Trust in the Self-Care Industry."

Sanofi Consumer Healthcare’s “Little Packs, Big Impact” partnership with TerraCycle will allow UK consumers to recycle Buscopan and Dulcolax pill packs by dropping them in dedicated containers in partnering pharmacies.