Ninapharm Japan, a subsidiary of French biotechnology firm Ninapharm, was established in 2003 to manufacture and distribute advanced skincare, anti-aging cosmetics, and microbiome-focused dietary supplements catering to the Japanese and broader Asian markets.
Since October 1, the company has begun retailing four functional food products and three types of supplements exclusively through major pharmacy chains Nanohana Pharmacy, Sakura Pharmacy, and Nagatomi Pharmacy nationwide.
“We will leverage the professional expertise of pharmacists to select and recommend supplements that consider the health condition and needs of each pharmacy customer, thereby realizing nutritional care that is tailored to their daily demands,” Ninapharm Japan said.
“Through the reassurance that ‘supplements sold by pharmacies’ branding provides, we offer a new healthy habit that is easy for everyone to maintain, while providing solid support for nutrients that are often lacking.”
Specifically, the functional foods are targeted at a range of concerns from women’s health to sleep quality and eye care.
For example, the Femcare Warming Therapy contains piperine derived from long pepper, which is said to have the function of normalizing peripheral blood flow that has decreased as well as reducing the drop in skin surface temperature in the hands and feet due to cold weather.
Another product, Vegetable Tablet, is made with hesperidin extracted from a blend of fermented tea leaves and mandarin orange. This ingredient is claimed to help improve sleep quality and temporarily relieve fatigue.
Additionally, the dietary supplements—Iron and Folic Acid, Zinc, and Multivitamins & Minerals—aim to provide essential nutrients for boosting red blood cell formation and contributing to normal fetal development, regulating protein synthesis and nucleic acid metabolism, and supporting skin health, bone health and healthy teeth, respectively.
11 vitamins in one bite
Japanese long-standing healthcare company Ito Kanpo Pharmaceutical recently introduced an addition to its Hitokuchi Care series, a line of powder supplements that can be consumed without water.
The term “hitokuchi” means “one bite” in Japanese, highlighting that these supplements are designed to be taken quickly and easily in a single mouthful.
Named Hitokuchi VitaCare Multivitamin, the new product contains 11 types of vitamins, including liposomal vitamins and three beauty-from-within ingredients (nicotinamide mononucleotide, ceramide, and coenzyme Q10).
The refreshing mango and pink grapefruit flavor, individual sachet format for greater portability, and vibrant packaging design are designed to appeal to younger consumers.
Set to launch in November, it will be available at drugstores across Japan and e-commerce platforms such as Rakuten and Yahoo! Japan.
Hitokuchi VitaCare Multivitamin is the third product in this series, with the two existing ones being VitaC1000 and Fe Care.
VitaC1000 combines three types of vitamin C to optimize timed-release nutrient absorption and support immune health and skin vitality. Each single-serve, fast-dissolving powder sachet is said to deliver 1,000mg of vitamin C.
Meanwhile, Fe Care utilizes a blend of three types of iron—heme iron, chelated iron, and liposomal iron—to minimize stomach irritation and enhance absorption.
Each packet provides 11mg of iron to help prevent iron deficiency and enhance overall energy levels. It comes in a plum and berry flavor to mask the usual metallic taste of iron supplements.
