Information Resources Inc. (IRI), the global leader in innovative solutions and services for consumer, retail and OTC healthcare companies, and Kline & Company, a global market research and management consulting firm, have established an exclusive alliance to serve the worldwide, over-the-counter (OTC) drug and overall consumer healthcare industries. This powerful alliance will provide a higher level of data accuracy and an unparalleled, global range of thought leadership on stimulating topics in the consumer healthcare space.

As part of this collaborative relationship, IRI will contribute its granular, widely recognised, point-of-sale (POS) market data, related insights, and thought leadership. Meanwhile, Kline will provide its unmatched historical database, global network, and 360-degree view of the complex OTC drug market, including its comprehensive channel coverage and vast expertise in the area of Rx-to-OTC switches.

“This exclusive alliance will help provide our clients an unprecedented level of actionable insights due to Kline’s access to a global network of consumer healthcare specialists,” says Bob Sanders, executive vice president and healthcare practice leader, IRI. “IRI and Kline will be able to deliver unrivaled global thought leadership and consultation in the consumer healthcare space.”

“Kline has been analysing and serving the OTC pharmaceuticals market since the 1960s, and this arrangement is a natural evolution towards continuous improvement of service to our clients,” said Laura Mahecha, Industry Manager of Kline’s Healthcare Practice. “By combining Kline’s comprehensive market expertise with IRI’s detailed data and technology tools, we can better serve our clients who seek comprehensive market information and insights.”

The collaborative thought leadership will manifest through white papers on such topics as Rx-to-OTC switch, merger, and acquisition activity and new product innovation, as well as trends and issues in international and emerging markets within the OTC drugs industry.

“We are thrilled about this alliance and the new level of market intelligence that this is going to offer,” remarked Joe Tarantola, CEO at Kline. “Providing our clients with the best possible service is our focal point. By combining IRI data tools with Kline’s global reach, we will deliver more value to our clients in the OTC drug and consumer healthcare markets. Similarly, we anticipate being able to extend this relationship in the future to our clients in the beauty and personal care and home care industries.”