OTC Healthcare in Belgium
Euromonitor International's OTC Healthcare in Belgium market report offers a comprehensive guide to the size and shape of the market at a national level. It provides the latest retail sales data, allowing you to identify the sectors driving growth. It identifies the leading companies, the leading brands and offers strategic analysis of key factors influencing the market - be they new product developments, packaging innovations, economic/lifestyle influences, distribution or pricing issues. Forecasts illustrate how the market is set to change.
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Tables: 96 | Publication date: Jan 2008
Why buy this report
- Get insight into trends in market performance
- Pinpoint growth sectors and identify factors driving change
- Identify market and brand leaders and understand the competitive environment
Product coverage
Adult mouthcare; Allergy care; Analgesics; Calming and sleeping products; Child-specific OTC healthcare; Cough; cold and allergy (hay fever) remedies; Digestive remedies; Ear care; Emergency contraception; Eye care; Medicated skin care; NRT Smoking cessation aids; OTC obesity; OTC statins; OTC triptans; Vitamins and dietary supplements; Wound treatments
Executive summary
Another good year for OTC
The majority of manufacturers confirm the reprieve of the market for OTC healthcare at the end of the review period that witnessed again a rather robust growth in 2006. Even so, before 2004, OTC healthcare was the flattest market in fast moving consumer goods in Belgium. This ongoing recovery stems from rather favourable weather that resulted in a high number of pathologies in winter 2006 and a renewed marketing activity, including the launch of more convenient or palatable products, targeted better at consumers and more efficient advertising campaigns.
Despite a still unfavourable context
However, even if the negative climate surrounding OTC products continued to abate, as the effects of government policy mainly impacted on 2002 and 2003, two years of sluggish performance, manufacturers still deplore the unfavourable context for OTC in Belgium.
The strong influence of doctors and the high density of pharmacists in the country perpetuate the reluctance of Belgian consumers to self-medicate. Consumers are loyal to their pharmacists and still need them for advice. Health food shops and drugstores have a very limited share as do internet sales.
Manufacturers also complain about the reverse switch policy on combination products by the government and mishandled manoeuvres on digestive remedies and generic products in the past.
In addition to these factors, the small size of the Belgian OTC healthcare market limited the marketing activity of pharmaceutical companies and thus prevented significant expansion.
Almost all sectors benefit from an improvement
Surprisingly, while there were only two dynamic categories each year during the bulk of the review period, almost all mainstream sectors contributed to the improvement of 2006, even well-established and mature products. Apart from more numerous pathologies, analgesics and digestive remedies benefit from the success of double-dose acetaminophen and gastroprocinetic products (included in antacids) and probiotic ingredients (in diarrhoeal remedies).
After the below-average performance of 2005, vitamins and dietary supplements have found a new lease of life in multivitamins while fish oils and probiotic supplements still enjoyed double-digit growth. However, cough, cold and allergy remedies levelled off due to a lower number of pathologies than usual while NRT smoking cessation aids suffered from the surprising decline of patches.
Some players more dynamic than others in a highly fragmented competitive environment
Another key factor behind the lack of dynamism of OTC healthcare in comparison with other markets or countries is the high fragmentation of shares. At a GBO level, following its merger with Aventis, Sanofi-Synthélabo became the market leader in 2004. For manufacturers, the best way to gain ground was to grow extensively with mergers and acquisitions. Nonetheless some players performed better than others, such as UPSA Médica and its Daffalgan brand (the “giant” of analgesics, and the most valuable brand in the market), Merck NV SA thanks to a renewed offensive in VDS, some local players and private label.
Slightly better fate anticipated
After three years of rather robust growth, industry sources are generally more optimistic about the scope for development in OTC healthcare than in the past. More efficient products and the scandal about Vioxx should help analgesics to forge ahead while digestive remedies and medicated skin care will enjoy non-negligible growth thanks to more ambitious novelties.
Albeit less dynamic than during the historic period, vitamins and dietary supplements will probably experience the best progression in absolute value of the whole market owing to the rising demand for preventive treatments and functional substances. Only value sales of cold, cough and allergy remedies will decline due to irregular weather, the drop of combination remedies and private label encroachment.
Table of contents
OTC HEALTHCARE IN BELGIUM : MARKET INSIGHT
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Another good year for OTC
Despite a still unfavourable context
Almost all sectors benefit from an improvement
Some players more dynamic than others in a highly fragmented competitive environment
Slightly better fate anticipated
KEY TRENDS AND DEVELOPMENTS
Local policy still strongly impacts OTC sales
Possible lower pressure regarding switches and distribution
Economic development should be more favourable
The quest of longevity and health and wellness fuels VDS
Is the success of functional food and beverage and some cosmetic & toiletries a threat or an opportunity?
Increasingly tough and maybe less fragmented competitive environment
APPENDIX
OTC Registration and Classification
De-listing or De-reimbursement
Advertising
Packaging and Labelling
Distribution
Vitamins & Dietary Supplements Registration and Classification
Generics
APPENDIX
Consumer Expenditure on Health Goods and Medical Services
Table 1 Consumer Expenditure on Health Goods and Medical Services 2001-2006
MARKET INDICATORS
Table 2 Life Expectancy at Birth 2001-2006
MARKET DATA
Table 3 Sales of OTC Healthcare by Sector: Value 2001-2006
Table 4 Sales of OTC Healthcare by Sector: % Value Growth 2001-2006
Table 5 OTC Healthcare Company Shares by Retail Value 2002-2006
Table 6 OTC Healthcare Brand Shares by Retail Value 2003-2006
Table 7 Penetration of Private Label by Sector 2002-2006
Table 8 Sales of OTC Healthcare by Distribution Format: % Analysis 2001/2006
Table 9 Sales of OTC Healthcare by Sector and Distribution Format: % Analysis 2006
Table 10 Forecast Sales of OTC Healthcare by Sector: Value 2006-2011
Table 11 Forecast Sales of OTC Healthcare by Sector: % Value Growth 2006-2011
DEFINITIONS
Sources
Summary 1 Research Sources
LOCAL COMPANY PROFILES - BELGIUM
ARKOPHARMA BELUX SA - OTC HEALTHCARE - BELGIUM
STRATEGIC DIRECTION
KEY FACTS
Summary 2 Arkopharma Belux SA: Key Facts
Summary 3 Arkopharma Belux SA: Operational Indicators
COMPANY BACKGROUND & PRODUCTION
Summary 4 Arkopharma Belux SA: Production Statistics 2005
COMPETITIVE POSITIONING
Summary 5 Arkopharma Belux SA: Competitive Position 2006
BIODYNAMICS NV - OTC HEALTHCARE - BELGIUM
STRATEGIC DIRECTION
KEY FACTS
Summary 6 Biodynamics BVBA: Key Facts
COMPANY BACKGROUND & PRODUCTION
Summary 7 Biodynamics BVBA: Production Statistics 2006
COMPETITIVE POSITIONING
Summary 8 Summary Biodynamics BVBA: Competitive Position 2006
OMEGA PHARMA NV - OTC HEALTHCARE - BELGIUM
STRATEGIC DIRECTION
KEY FACTS
Summary 9 Omega Pharma Belgium NV: Key Facts
Summary 10 Omega Pharma Belgium NV: Operational Indicators
COMPANY BACKGROUND
PRODUCTION
Summary 11 Omega Pharma Belgium NV: Production Statistics 2004-2005
COMPETITIVE POSITIONING
Summary 12 Summary Omega Pharma Belgium NV: Competitive Position 2006
PATCH PHARMA SA - OTC HEALTHCARE - BELGIUM
STRATEGIC DIRECTION
KEY FACTS
Summary 13 Patch Pharma NV SA: Key Facts
COMPANY BACKGROUND & PRODUCTION
COMPETITIVE POSITIONING
VEMEDIA PHARMA NV - OTC HEALTHCARE - BELGIUM
STRATEGIC DIRECTION
KEY FACTS
Summary 14 Vemedia Pharma NV: Key Facts
COMPANY BACKGROUND
PRODUCTION
Summary 15 Vemedia Pharma NV: Production Statistics 2005
COMPETITIVE POSITIONING
Summary 16 Summary Vemedia Pharma NV: Competitive Position 2006
ANALGESICS IN BELGIUM
HEADLINES
TRENDS
COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE
PROSPECTS
SECTOR DATA
Table 12 Sales of Analgesics by Subsector: Value 2001-2006
Table 13 Sales of Analgesics by Subsector: % Value Growth 2001-2006
Table 14 Herbal vs Standard Topical Analgesics 2001/2006
Table 15 Analgesics Company Shares by Retail Value 2002-2006
Table 16 Analgesics Brand Shares by Retail Value 2003-2006
Table 17 Forecast Sales of Analgesics by Subsector: Value 2006-2011
Table 18 Forecast Sales of Analgesics by Subsector: % Value Growth 2006-2011
COUGH, COLD AND ALLERGY (HAY FEVER) REMEDIES IN BELGIUM
HEADLINES
TRENDS
COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE
PROSPECTS
SECTOR DATA
Table 19 Sales of Cough, Cold and Allergy (Hay Fever) Remedies by Subsector: Value 2001-2006
Table 20 Sales of Cough, Cold and Allergy (Hay Fever) Remedies by Subsector: % Value Growth 2001-2006
Table 21 Sales of Decongestants by Type: Value 2001-2006
Table 22 Sales of Decongestants by Type: % Value Growth 2001-2006
Table 23 Sales of Child-specific Cough, Cold and Allergy (Hay Fever) Remedies by Type: Value 2001-2006
Table 24 Sales of Child-specific Cough, Cold and Allergy (Hay Fever) Remedies by Type: % Value Growth 2001-2006
Table 25 Herbal vs Standard Cough, Cold and Allergy (Hay Fever) Remedies 2001/2006
Table 26 Cough, Cold and Allergy (Hay Fever) Remedies Company Shares by Retail Value 2002-2006
Table 27 Cough, Cold and Allergy (Hay Fever) Remedies Brand Shares by Retail Value 2003-2006
Table 28 Forecast Sales of Cough, Cold and Allergy (Hay Fever) Remedies by Subsector: Value 2006-2011
Table 29 Forecast Sales of Cough, Cold and Allergy (Hay Fever) Remedies by Subsector: % Value Growth 2006-2011
DIGESTIVE REMEDIES IN BELGIUM
HEADLINES
TRENDS
COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE
PROSPECTS
SECTOR DATA
Table 30 Sales of Digestive Remedies by Subsector: Value 2001-2006
Table 31 Sales of Digestive Remedies by Subsector: % Value Growth 2001-2006
Table 32 Herbal vs Standard Digestive Remedies 2001/2006
Table 33 Digestive Remedies Company Shares by Retail Value 2002-2006
Table 34 Digestive Remedies Brand Shares by Retail Value 2003-2006
Table 35 Forecast Sales of Digestive Remedies by Subsector: Value 2006-2011
Table 36 Forecast Sales of Digestive Remedies by Subsector: % Value Growth 2006-2011
MEDICATED SKIN CARE IN BELGIUM
HEADLINES
TRENDS
COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE
PROSPECTS
SECTOR DATA
Table 37 Sales of Medicated Skin Care by Subsector: Value 2001-2006
Table 38 Sales of Medicated Skin Care by Subsector: % Value Growth 2001-2006
Table 39 Herbal vs Standard Medicated Skin Care 2001/2006
Table 40 Medicated Skin Care Company Shares by Retail Value 2002-2006
Table 41 Medicated Skin Care Brand Shares by Retail Value 2003-2006
Table 42 Acne Treatments Brand Shares by Retail Value 2003-2006
Table 43 Hair Loss Treatments Brand Shares by Retail Value 2003-2006
Table 44 Forecast Sales of Medicated Skin Care by Subsector: Value 2006-2011
Table 45 Forecast Sales of Medicated Skin Care by Subsector: % Value Growth 2006-2011
VITAMINS AND DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS IN BELGIUM
HEADLINES
TRENDS
COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE
PROSPECTS
SECTOR DATA
Table 46 Sales of Vitamins and Dietary Supplements by Subsector: Value 2001-2006
Table 47 Sales of Vitamins and Dietary Supplements by Subsector: % Value Growth 2001-2006
Table 48 Sales of Vitamins by Type: Value 2001-2006
Table 49 Sales of Vitamins by Type: % Value Growth 2001-2006
Table 50 Vitamins and Dietary Supplements Company Shares by Retail Value 2002-2006
Table 51 Vitamins and Dietary Supplements Brand Shares by Retail Value 2003-2006
Table 52 Vitamins Brand Shares by Retail Value 2003-2006
Table 53 Sales of Dietary Supplements by Type: Value 2001-2006
Table 54 Sales of Dietary Supplements by Type: % Value Growth 2001-2006
Table 55 Dietary Supplements Brand Shares by Retail Value 2003-2006
Table 56 Forecast Sales of Vitamins and Dietary Supplements by Subsector: Value 2006-2011
Table 57 Forecast Sales of Vitamins and Dietary Supplements by Subsector: % Value Growth 2006-2011
NRT SMOKING CESSATION AIDS IN BELGIUM
HEADLINES
TRENDS
COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE
PROSPECTS
SECTOR INDICATORS
Table 58 Number of Smokers by Gender 2001-2006
SECTOR DATA
Table 59 Sales of Smoking Cessation Aids by Subsector: Value 2001-2006
Table 60 Sales of Smoking Cessation Aids by Subsector: % Value Growth 2001-2006
Table 61 Smoking Cessation Aids Company Shares by Retail Value 2002-2006
Table 62 Smoking Cessation Aids Brand Shares by Retail Value 2003-2006
Table 63 Forecast Sales of Smoking Cessation Aids by Subsector: Value 2006-2011
Table 64 Forecast Sales of Smoking Cessation Aids by Subsector: % Value Growth 2006-2011
EYE CARE IN BELGIUM
OVERVIEW
SECTOR DATA
Table 65 Sales of Eye Care by Subsector: Value 2001-2006
Table 66 Sales of Eye Care by Subsector: % Value Growth 2001-2006
Table 67 Eye Care Company Shares by Retail Value 2002-2006
Table 68 Eye Care Brand Shares by Retail Value 2003-2006
Table 69 Forecast Sales of Eye Care by Subsector: Value 2006-2011
Table 70 Forecast Sales of Eye Care by Subsector: % Value Growth 2006-2011
EAR CARE IN BELGIUM
OVERVIEW
ADULT MOUTHCARE IN BELGIUM
OVERVIEW
CALMING AND SLEEPING PRODUCTS IN BELGIUM
OVERVIEW
WOUND TREATMENTS IN BELGIUM
OVERVIEW
SECTOR DATA
Table 71 Sales of Wound Treatments by Subsector: Value 2001-2006
Table 72 Sales of Wound Treatments by Subsector: % Value Growth 2001-2006
Table 73 Wound Treatments Company Shares by Retail Value 2002-2006
Table 74 Wound Treatments Brand Shares by Retail Value 2003-2006
Table 75 Forecast Sales of Wound Treatments by Subsector: Value 2006-2011
Table 76 Forecast Sales of Wound Treatments by Subsector: % Value Growth 2006-2011
OTC OBESITY IN BELGIUM
OVERVIEW
EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTION IN BELGIUM
OVERVIEW
SECTOR DATA
Table 77 Sales of Emergency Contraception by Subsector: Value 2001-2006
Table 78 Sales of Emergency Contraception by Subsector: % Value Growth 2001-2006
Table 79 Forecast Sales of Emergency Contraception by Subsector: Value 2006-2011
Table 80 Forecast Sales of Emergency Contraception by Subsector: % Value Growth 2006-2011
OTC STATINS IN BELGIUM
OVERVIEW
OTC TRIPTANS IN BELGIUM
OVERVIEW