David's coverage specializes in OTC medicines, dietary supplements and self-care medical devices. David is interested in regulatory gray areas such as the borderlines between medicines, supplements and medical devices, as well as botanical ingredients. David also regularly speaks to industry leaders and experts about the latest trends to deliver crucial market intelligence to HBW Insight readers, and co-hosts the Over the Counter podcast. In his spare time, David spends time in his allotment garden, reading/watching science fiction and worrying about climate change.
Latest from David Ridley
At the second attempt, New Zealand’s Medicines Classification Committee supported the Rx-to-OTC switch of allopurinol (100mg and 300mg) for people suffering from gout by specifically trained pharmacists.
Including self-care in an upcoming UN General Assembly political declaration would be a “powerful signal that the global community is serious about non-communicable disease prevention and control,” argues the United for Self-Care Coalition, which includes the Global Self-Care Federation, International Self-Care Foundation and Imperial College London’s Self-Care Academic Research Unit.
Germany’s Federal Institute for Risk Assessment says that there is "no evidence that people with androgenetic alopecia have special dietary needs or a special nutrient requirement.”
HBW Insight finds out all about real world evidence and its potential for the OTC industry by chatting with IQVIA Consumer Health's vice president of global research and development and real-world evidence services, Volker Spitzer.
AESGP, MedTech Europe and other associations representing medtech companies including manufacturers of self-care devices call for such products to be included in European Commission proposals for “zero-for-zero” trade in industrial goods between Europe and the US.
Just under half of Austrian pharmacists surveyed by Elpato Medien are “convinced that the OTC business will ensure the survival of their pharmacy.”