Research and Markets: OTC Pharmaceuticals Market Report 2013

DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/6bxsqt/otc) has announced the addition of the "OTC Pharmaceuticals Market Report 2013" report to their offering.

The number of prescriptions distributed across the UK has been increasing rapidly in recent years. Data produced by the Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC) showed that 961.5 million prescription items were dispensed in England in 2011, up from 796.3 million in 2007. The average number of prescription items per head of the population also grew, from 15.6 in 2007, to 18.3 in 2011.

While some of these increases can be accounted for by an increasingly elderly population, the trend is dispiriting for the over-the-counter (OTC) pharmaceuticals industry, as it threatens the demand for self-care treatments. In 2012, the total market for OTC pharmaceuticals grew by a modest 2.1% in 2012, after slipping backwards slightly in 2011, by 0.4%.

In terms of sectors, between 2008 and 2012, total retail sales of analgesics fell by 2%. Analgesic is the term used to describe a group of drugs used to achieve relief from pain. The adult oral analgesics subsector dominates the sector and accounted for nearly two-thirds (66%) of total sales of analgesics in 2012; although, the subsector fell by 5.1% over 5-years to 2012.

The category for topical analgesics was the only subsector within the sector to have experienced year-on-year growth over the review period, with sales increasing by 13.9% in the 5 year to 2012. The skincare treatment market is the second-largest main sector, and in 2012, accounted for 18.8% of all OTC pharmaceuticals sold within the UK. The sector's value also fell by 2.3% over the review period. Footcare treatments accounted for the largest share of the skincare treatment sector in 2012.

Sales of cough, cold and sore-throat remedies have declined slightly since the economic downturn in 2008, by 1.3%. The sector for cold and flu decongestants was the largest sector in terms of sales, and in 2012, accounted for more than half (50.2%) of the total market for cough, cold and sore-throat remedies. Medicated confectionery and cough liquids together accounted for the remaining share of the total market.

The Government has turned to self care as a way of meeting the challenges of the increased demand on the National Health Service (NHS). Over the past 2 years, the Government has launched several campaigns to encourage self care and self-medication among the general public, as well as encouraging expansion for the role of pharmacies, to reduce the burden on the NHS. Pharmacists could help to promote self-care by providing people with the right support and information.

The Self Care Week was launched in November 2011, aimed at progressing self care on a local and national level. Meanwhile, the number of treatments switching from prescription-only medication (POM) to pharmacy-only (P) products continues, providing an increasing number of medicines available for pharmacists to treat their patients.

Key Note projects that the UK market for OTC pharmaceuticals will grow by a modest 4.6% over the next 5 years. While any major growth trends seem unlikely, market growth should remain constant, at around 1%.

Companies Mentioned

- Bayer Plc

- Glaxosmithkline Plc

- Johnson & Johnson Ltd

- John Wyeth & Brother Ltd

- Novartis Uk Ltd

- Reckitt Benckiser Group Plc

For more information visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/6bxsqt/otc