Health care companies' products honored with Breakthrough Innovation Award

Nielsen today announced its 2016 Breakthrough Innovation Awards, which included two health care companies.

Among the consumer packaged goods (CPG) manufacturers honored were two health care companies: Chattem and Pfizer. Their over-the-counter products, Chattem Nasacort Allergy 24HR and Pfizer Nexium 24HR, each produced more than $50 million in sales during their first year on the market and maintained at least 90 percent sales growth during the second year.

“Celebration of innovation should not be limited to just the technology space,” Nielsen's Leader of Strategic Innovation and co-author of the U.S. Breakthrough Innovation Report Rob Wengel said. “Consumer goods innovations bring improvements to our essential day-to-day experiences and rituals, from the time we wake up to the time we go to sleep.”

Chattem Nasacort Allergy 24HR provides relief for allergy symptoms in adults and children older than age 2. It helps relieve sneezing, runny nose and nasal congestion, which improves the quality of life for allergy sufferers.

With just one purple pill per day, Pfizer's Nexium 24HR relieves the misery of heartburn. It blocks acid production in the stomach and provides relief from the discomfort and pain of frequent heartburn. Heartburn can affect sleep and daily activities, including limiting the types of foods that individuals can enjoy.