OTC
OTC Healthcare

OTC Healthcare in Canada

Canada

Euromonitor International's OTC Healthcare in Canada 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.

Buy online to access strategic market analysis and an interactive statistical database of volume and value market sizes, company and brand shares, distribution and pricing data.

Tables: 114  |  Publication date: Apr 2009
Cost: 
GBP1500.00

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  • 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 mouth care; 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

Quiet year and slow growth of mature market

The Canadian OTC healthcare market continued to grow in 2008, albeit at a very slow pace in contrast to the previous year and the review period as a whole when a number of new medications, including those switched to OTC status, hit the shelves. However, 2008 was a quiet year. Subsequently, mature market conditions, lack of substantial product innovation and OTC switches as well as inability of manufacturers and retailers to raise prices at retail contributed to slow value growth in the Canadian market for OTC healthcare.

Ageing population remains the principal driver of sales

Canadian society is ageing, and the proportion of people age 65 years and over continues to rise while the birth rate remains low. Although living healthier lives, older Canadians require medical attention more often than younger Canadians. Moreover, in addition to prescription drugs, ageing Canadian consumers are frequent users of OTC treatments. The impact of these trends is particularly felt in continuous demand and good sales of adult analgesics as well as digestive remedies, a number of medicated skin care products, wound treatments and some others. Examples of the products that are specifically recommended to and used by older consumers include low-dose ASA as a preventive against heart attack and stroke, and low-dose ASA remains the driving force behind sales of aspirin in Canada.

Private label gained ground

As of 2006, the Canadian OTC healthcare market has become more consolidated, with Johnson & Johnson (through its subsidiary McNeil Consumer Healthcare) and Wyeth in the lead and battling for consumer attention in a number of OTC sectors, most notably analgesics. However, the development of cheaper private label products, especially given the current economic downturn, has attracted the attention of a rising number of Canadians. As a result, in 2008 the performance of private label at retail improved significantly, in some cases outpacing share gains registered by branded products, allergy remedies being a case in point.

Chained parapharmacies/drugstores lead OTC distribution

Chemists/pharmacies and parapharmacies/drugstores account for the largest share of OTC sales in Canada. Leading chained parapharmacies/drugstores, however, are particularly successful in retaining and expanding their customer base. Not only do they continue to open new outlets and dominate urban landscapes, thus being within easy reach of their customers, but Canadian chained parapharmacies/drugstores feature a great selection of non-medicinal merchandise, including fast growing mass and prestige beauty care, and extended customer services, thereby making ‘one-stop shopping’ easier, especially for the growing number of elderly customers.

Slow growth is expected in the coming years

The growing proportion of ageing Canadians will help to support sales of OTC healthcare in Canada over 2008-2013. However, market maturity, growing presence of cheaper private label in many OTC sectors – particularly attractive to many consumers in times of economic difficulty – and inability of pharmaceutical companies to raise prices significantly due to the government control over retail prices of medications will inhibit value growth in the coming years. Furthermore, Canadians are leading increasingly healthier lifestyles, thereby keeping ailments at bay and minimising the need for medical treatment, which is also likely to slow demand for OTC drugs over the forecast period.

Table of contents

OTC HEALTHCARE IN CANADA : MARKET INSIGHT

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Quiet year and slow growth of mature market

Ageing population remains the principal driver of sales

Private label gained ground

Chained parapharmacies/drugstores lead OTC distribution

Slow growth is expected in the coming years

KEY TRENDS AND DEVELOPMENTS

Ageing population and tendency to self-medicate remain primary growth drivers

Private label is gaining ground as economy weakens

Most natural remedies are struggling

Foreign-based manufacturers lead sales

Large drugstore chains still prevail in distribution of OTC healthcare

MARKET INDICATORS

Table 1 Consumer Expenditure on Health Goods and Medical Services 2003-2008

Table 2 Life Expectancy at Birth 2003-2008

MARKET DATA

Table 3 Sales of OTC Healthcare by Sector: Value 2003-2008

Table 4 Sales of OTC Healthcare by Sector: % Value Growth 2003-2008

Table 5 OTC Healthcare Company Shares by Value 2004-2008

Table 6 OTC Healthcare Brand Shares by Value 2005-2008

Table 7 Penetration of Private Label by Sector 2003-2008

Table 8 Sales of OTC Healthcare by Distribution Format: % Analysis 2003-2008

Table 9 Sales of OTC Healthcare by Sector and Distribution Format: % Analysis 2008

Table 10 Forecast Sales of OTC Healthcare by Sector: Value 2008-2013

Table 11 Forecast Sales of OTC Healthcare by Sector: % Value Growth 2008-2013

APPENDIX

OTC Registration and Classification

Self-medication and Preventive Medicine

Generics

Switches

Summary 1 OTC Healthcare Switches 2005-2008

DEFINITIONS

Summary 2 Research Sources

LOCAL COMPANY PROFILES - CANADA

APOTEX INC - OTC HEALTHCARE - CANADA

STRATEGIC DIRECTION

KEY FACTS

Summary 3 Apotex Inc: Key Facts

COMPANY BACKGROUND

COMPETITIVE POSITIONING

CE JAMIESON & CO LTD - OTC HEALTHCARE - CANADA

STRATEGIC DIRECTION

KEY FACTS

Summary 4 CE Jamieson & Co Ltd: Key Facts

COMPANY BACKGROUND

COMPETITIVE POSITIONING

Summary 5 CE Jamieson & Co Ltd: Competitive Position 2008

CV TECHNOLOGIES INC - OTC HEALTHCARE - CANADA

STRATEGIC DIRECTION

KEY FACTS

Summary 6 CV Technologies Inc: Key Facts

Summary 7 CV Technologies Inc: Operational Indicators

COMPANY BACKGROUND

COMPETITIVE POSITIONING

Summary 8 CV Technologies Inc: Competitive Position 2008

PHARMASCIENCE INC - OTC HEALTHCARE - CANADA

STRATEGIC DIRECTION

KEY FACTS

Summary 9 Pharmascience Inc: Key Facts

COMPANY BACKGROUND

COMPETITIVE POSITIONING

Summary 10 Pharmascience Inc: Competitive Position 2008

SWISS HERBAL REMEDIES LTD - OTC HEALTHCARE - CANADA

STRATEGIC DIRECTION

KEY FACTS

Summary 11 Swiss Herbal Remedies Ltd: Key Facts

COMPANY BACKGROUND

COMPETITIVE POSITIONING

Summary 12 Swiss Herbal Remedies Ltd: Competitive Position 2008

ANALGESICS IN CANADA

HEADLINES

TRENDS

SWITCHES

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

PROSPECTS

SECTOR DATA

Table 12 Sales of Analgesics by Subsector: Value 2003-2008

Table 13 Sales of Analgesics by Subsector: % Value Growth 2003-2008

Table 14 Herbal vs Standard Topical Analgesics 2003-2008

Table 15 Topical Analgesics by Format: % Value Breakdown 2004-2008

Table 16 Analgesics Company Shares by Value 2004-2008

Table 17 Analgesics Brand Shares by Value 2005-2008

Table 18 Forecast Sales of Analgesics by Subsector: Value 2008-2013

Table 19 Forecast Sales of Analgesics by Subsector: % Value Growth 2008-2013

COUGH, COLD AND ALLERGY (HAY FEVER) REMEDIES IN CANADA

HEADLINES

TRENDS

SWITCHES

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

PROSPECTS

SECTOR DATA

Table 20 Sales of Cough, Cold and Allergy (Hay Fever) Remedies by Subsector: Value 2003-2008

Table 21 Sales of Cough, Cold and Allergy (Hay Fever) Remedies by Subsector: % Value Growth 2003-2008

Table 22 Sales of Decongestants by Type: Value 2003-2008

Table 23 Sales of Decongestants by Type: % Value Growth 2003-2008

Table 24 Sales of Child-specific Cough, Cold and Allergy (Hay Fever) Remedies by Type: Value 2003-2008

Table 25 Sales of Child-specific Cough, Cold and Allergy (Hay Fever) Remedies by Type: % Value Growth 2003-2008

Table 26 Herbal vs Standard Cough, Cold and Allergy (Hay Fever) Remedies 2003-2008

Table 27 Cough, Cold and Allergy (Hay Fever) Remedies Company Shares by Value 2004-2008

Table 28 Cough, Cold and Allergy (Hay Fever) Remedies Brand Shares by Value 2005-2008

Table 29 Forecast Sales of Cough, Cold and Allergy (Hay Fever) Remedies by Subsector: Value 2008-2013

Table 30 Forecast Sales of Cough, Cold and Allergy (Hay Fever) Remedies by Subsector: % Value Growth 2008-2013

DIGESTIVE REMEDIES IN CANADA

HEADLINES

TRENDS

SWITCHES

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

PROSPECTS

SECTOR DATA

Table 31 Sales of Digestive Remedies by Subsector: Value 2003-2008

Table 32 Sales of Digestive Remedies by Subsector: % Value Growth 2003-2008

Table 33 Herbal vs Standard Digestive Remedies 2003-2008

Table 34 Digestive Remedies Company Shares by Value 2004-2008

Table 35 Digestive Remedies Brand Shares by Value 2005-2008

Table 36 Forecast Sales of Digestive Remedies by Subsector: Value 2008-2013

Table 37 Forecast Sales of Digestive Remedies by Subsector: % Value Growth 2008-2013

MEDICATED SKIN CARE IN CANADA

HEADLINES

TRENDS

SWITCHES

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

PROSPECTS

SECTOR DATA

Table 38 Sales of Medicated Skin Care by Subsector: Value 2003-2008

Table 39 Sales of Medicated Skin Care by Subsector: % Value Growth 2003-2008

Table 40 Acne Treatments by Format: % Value Breakdown 2004-2008

Table 41 Medicated Skin Care Company Shares by Value 2004-2008

Table 42 Medicated Skin Care Brand Shares by Value 2005-2008

Table 43 Acne Treatments Brand Shares by Value 2005-2008

Table 44 Hair Loss Treatments Brand Shares by Value 2005-2008

Table 45 Forecast Sales of Medicated Skin Care by Subsector: Value 2008-2013

Table 46 Forecast Sales of Medicated Skin Care by Subsector: % Value Growth 2008-2013

VITAMINS AND DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS IN CANADA

HEADLINES

TRENDS – VITAMINS

TRENDS – DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

PROSPECTS

SECTOR DATA

Table 47 Sales of Vitamins and Dietary Supplements by Subsector: Value 2003-2008

Table 48 Sales of Vitamins and Dietary Supplements by Subsector: % Value Growth 2003-2008

Table 49 Dietary Supplements: Share of Sales by Positioning 2006-2008

Table 50 Folic Acid v Other B Vitamins 2004-2008

Table 51 Dietary Supplements by Positioning 2006-2008

Table 52 Vitamins and Dietary Supplements Company Shares by Value 2004-2008

Table 53 Vitamins and Dietary Supplements Brand Shares by Value 2005-2008

Table 54 Vitamins Brand Shares by Value 2005-2008

Table 55 Dietary Supplements Brand Shares by Value 2005-2008

Table 56 Forecast Sales of Vitamins and Dietary Supplements by Subsector: Value 2008-2013

Table 57 Forecast Sales of Vitamins and Dietary Supplements by Subsector: % Value Growth 2008-2013

NRT SMOKING CESSATION AIDS IN CANADA

HEADLINES

TRENDS

SWITCHES

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

PROSPECTS

SECTOR INDICATORS

Table 58 Number of Smokers by Gender 2003-2008

SECTOR DATA

Table 59 Sales of Smoking Cessation Aids by Subsector: Value 2003-2008

Table 60 Sales of Smoking Cessation Aids by Subsector: % Value Growth 2003-2008

Table 61 NRT Gum Flavours: % Value Breakdown 2006-2008

Table 62 Smoking Cessation Aids Company Shares by Value 2004-2008

Table 63 Smoking Cessation Aids Brand Shares by Value 2005-2008

Table 64 Forecast Sales of Smoking Cessation Aids by Subsector: Value 2008-2013

Table 65 Forecast Sales of Smoking Cessation Aids by Subsector: % Value Growth 2008-2013

EYE CARE IN CANADA

TRENDS

SECTOR DATA

Table 66 Sales of Eye Care by Subsector: Value 2003-2008

Table 67 Sales of Eye Care by Subsector: % Value Growth 2003-2008

Table 68 Standard Eye Care by Type: % Value Breakdown 2007-2008

Table 69 Eye Care Company Shares by Value 2004-2008

Table 70 Eye Care Brand Shares by Value 2005-2008

Table 71 Forecast Sales of Eye Care by Subsector: Value 2008-2013

Table 72 Forecast Sales of Eye Care by Subsector: % Value Growth 2008-2013

EAR CARE IN CANADA

TRENDS

SECTOR DATA

Table 73 Sales of Ear Care: Value 2003-2008

Table 74 Sales of Ear Care: % Value Growth 2003-2008

Table 75 Ear Care Company Shares by Value 2004-2008

Table 76 Ear Care Brand Shares by Value 2005-2008

Table 77 Forecast Sales of Ear Care: Value 2008-2013

Table 78 Forecast Sales of Ear Care: % Value Growth 2008-2013

ADULT MOUTH CARE IN CANADA

HEADLINES

SECTOR DATA

Table 79 Sales of Adult Mouth Care: Value 2003-2008

Table 80 Sales of Adult Mouth Care: % Value Growth 2003-2008

Table 81 Adult Mouth Care Company Shares by Value 2004-2008

Table 82 Adult Mouth Care Brand Shares by Value 2005-2008

Table 83 Forecast Sales of Adult Mouth Care: Value 2008-2013

Table 84 Forecast Sales of Adult Mouth Care: % Value Growth 2008-2013

CALMING AND SLEEPING PRODUCTS IN CANADA

TRENDS

SECTOR DATA

Table 85 Sales of Calming and Sleeping Products: Value 2003-2008

Table 86 Sales of Calming and Sleeping Products: % Value Growth 2003-2008

Table 87 Calming and Sleeping Products Company Shares by Value 2004-2008

Table 88 Calming and Sleeping Products Brand Shares by Value 2005-2008

Table 89 Forecast Sales of Calming and Sleeping Products: Value 2008-2013

Table 90 Forecast Sales of Calming and Sleeping Products: % Value Growth 2008-2013

WOUND TREATMENTS IN CANADA

TRENDS

SECTOR DATA

Table 91 Sales of Wound Treatments by Subsector: Value 2003-2008

Table 92 Sales of Wound Treatments by Subsector: % Value Growth 2003-2008

Table 93 Wound Treatments Company Shares by Value 2004-2008

Table 94 Wound Treatments Brand Shares by Value 2005-2008

Table 95 Forecast Sales of Wound Treatments by Subsector: Value 2008-2013

Table 96 Forecast Sales of Wound Treatments by Subsector: % Value Growth 2008-2013

EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTION IN CANADA

TRENDS

SECTOR DATA

Table 97 Sales of Emergency Contraception: Value 2003-2008

Table 98 Sales of Emergency Contraception: % Value Growth 2003-2008

Table 99 Emergency Contraception Company Shares by Value 2004-2008

Table 100 Emergency Contraception Brand Shares by Value 2005-2008

Table 101 Forecast Sales of Emergency Contraception: Value 2008-2013

Table 102 Forecast Sales of Emergency Contraception: % Value Growth 2008-2013

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