Foster & Thrive
Foster & Thrive: the pharmacy store brand, explained
If you have picked up a Foster & Thrive box at your pharmacy and wondered who actually makes it, here is the short answer: Foster & Thrive is McKesson's private-label over-the-counter brand, launched in June 2023. McKesson is one of the largest healthcare distributors in the United States, and Foster & Thrive consolidated its two earlier store brands, Health Mart and Sunmark, into a single line. If you used to buy Sunmark, Foster & Thrive is its replacement.
Is Foster & Thrive as good as the national brand?
For over-the-counter medicines, the active ingredient is the product. An OTC drug sold in the U.S. has to meet the same FDA standards for that active ingredient regardless of whose name is on the box. Foster & Thrive Nighttime Sleep-Aid contains diphenhydramine HCl 25 mg, the same active ingredient at the same strength as the national-brand equivalent. What you are not paying for is the advertising budget.
The practical differences are inactive ingredients (dyes, flavors, binders), packaging and count sizes. If you react to a particular dye, or you need an identical formulation, compare the full ingredient panel, or ask a pharmacist to compare it with you.
What Thrifty White carries
We stock more than 500 Foster & Thrive items, spanning:
- Digestive health — fiber powders, stool softeners, magnesium citrate, acid reducers, gas relief and probiotics
- Cough, cold and allergy — guaifenesin solutions, cetirizine, chlorpheniramine, nasal decongestants and children's formulations
- Diabetes care — True Metrix test strips, TRUEplus glucose tablets and glucose shots
- Vitamins and supplements — B-12 gummies, multivitamins, potassium gluconate and calcium
- First aid and daily essentials — bandages, non-stick pads, cotton balls and earwax removal drops
The item people buy most
Foster & Thrive Fiber Powder Sugar Free Smooth Texture Orange - 10 oz is our best-selling Foster & Thrive product by a wide margin: a smooth-dissolving daily fiber supplement that mixes without grit. There is also a larger 20.3 oz size for households that go through it quickly.
Why buy Foster & Thrive from Thrifty White
Thrifty White Pharmacy is an employee-owned pharmacy chain serving the Upper Midwest since 1884. Employee ownership means the person filling your order has a stake in getting it right. We ship nationwide, and because we are a full-service pharmacy rather than a general retailer, a licensed pharmacist is available if you want help choosing between a store brand and a national brand.
Frequently asked questions
Who makes Foster & Thrive?
McKesson, one of the largest healthcare distributors in the United States, launched Foster & Thrive as its private-label over-the-counter brand in June 2023.
Is Foster & Thrive the same as Sunmark or Health Mart?
Yes. McKesson consolidated both of those store brands into Foster & Thrive, transitioning products by category between July 2023 and October 2024.
Is Foster & Thrive as good as the national brand?
For an over-the-counter medicine, the active ingredient is the product, and OTC drugs sold in the U.S. must meet the same FDA standards for that active ingredient regardless of the brand on the box. The differences are usually inactive ingredients, packaging and count size.
Where can I buy Foster & Thrive?
Foster & Thrive is sold through independent and regional pharmacies. Thrifty White Pharmacy carries more than 500 Foster & Thrive items and ships nationwide.
Does Foster & Thrive cover prescription drugs?
No. Foster & Thrive is an over-the-counter health and wellness brand covering categories such as digestive health, cough and cold, allergy, diabetes care, vitamins and first aid.