OTC Healthcare in France

Euromonitor International's OTC Healthcare in France 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: 142  |  Publication date: Apr 2009
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  • Get insight into trends in market performance
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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

OTC healthcare suffers from consumers obtaining more prescription products

In the context of the review period, growth in OTC healthcare was slightly faster in 2008. Consumers still had confidence in OTC products, and the development of generics had a positive impact on sales. However, OTC healthcare products continued to suffer from strong competition with Rx and semi-ethical products. In France, consumers can be reimbursed by the National Health Insurance if they have a prescription for Rx or semi-ethical medicines. With the decrease in purchasing power and the financial crisis, some French consumers preferred to see a doctor and have a prescription rather than self-medicate. In addition, for many consumers, OTC products are seen as less efficient than Rx or semi-ethical medicines. However, some dynamic categories, such as medicated skin care, NRT smoking cessation aids and vitamins and dietary supplements supported sales in 2008. For these products, French consumers do not have a prescription, but are still keen to buy them.

Increasing presence of self-service areas in chemists/pharmacies for OTC products

From July 2008, more than 200 OTC products which were previously only available over the counter in chemists/pharmacies, such as analgesics and digestive remedies, were also available in self-service areas. However, self-service is only allowed in chemists/pharmacies, and these products cannot be sold in parapharmacies/drugstores or grocery retailers. Furthermore, introducing a self-service area is optional, and in September 2008, only 17% of chemists/pharmacies had a self-service area in their stores. Nevertheless, to reduce the deficit of the French National Health Insurance, the French government wants to promote self-medication and give a sense of responsibility to consumers.

A fragmented market led by OTC manufacturers

OTC healthcare is a very fragmented market with several small players. It is also a very competitive market, in which consumers are more attracted by leading and well-known brands. In 2008, the leading companies were Laboratoires McNeil, Laboratoires UPSA and Théraplix SA. These companies are present in several categories with well-known brands, such as Doliprane in analgesics and Maalox in digestive remedies for Théraplix SA. In 2008, domestic players Laboratoires Pierre Fabre SA and Laboratoires Urgo ranked fourth and fifth.

Chemists/pharmacies remains the leading distribution channel

In France, most OTC products can only be sold in chemists/pharmacies. Only products with no side effects and which are not potentially dangerous, such as wound treatments, vitamins and dietary supplements and adult mouth care products, can be sold in other distribution channels. For these products, chemists/pharmacies lost share due to the strong competition from grocery retailers and parapharmacies/drugstores, which often offer lower prices. The development of internet retailing over the review period also had a negative impact on the share of chemists/pharmacies, especially for vitamins and dietary supplements. Vitamins and dietary supplements are the only OTC healthcare products which can be sold on the internet, due to less strict legislation.

Positive performance through the development of self-medication

Over the forecast period, OTC healthcare sales are expected to slightly increase .The government is predicted to continue its de-listing, and to promote self-medication. Consumers are becoming more confident in self-medicating, and could prefer to buy OTC products rather than wait for an appointment with their doctor. In addition, self-service could have a positive impact on sales. Consumers could be reluctant to buy OTC products because of their prices. With an increase in competition because of self-service, manufacturers are expected to decrease their unit prices to attract consumers. Manufacturers are also expected to strongly invest in advertising campaigns to attract consumers. The government is expected to allow more OTC products to be sold via self-service to increase the competitive environment.

Table of contents

OTC HEALTHCARE IN FRANCE : MARKET INSIGHT

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

OTC healthcare suffers from consumers obtaining more prescription products

Increasing presence of self-service areas in chemists/pharmacies for OTC products

A fragmented market led by OTC manufacturers

Chemists/pharmacies remains the leading distribution channel

Positive performance through the development of self-medication

KEY TRENDS AND DEVELOPMENTS

The setting-up of self-service: its impact on self-medication

Vitamins and dietary supplements for everyone

The grey market is the new key target consumer group

Decreasing purchasing power favours Rx products

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

Advertising

Packaging and Labelling

Distribution

Vitamins & Dietary Supplements Registration and Classification

EU Legislation

Self-medication and Preventative Medicine

Generics

Switches

Summary 1 Rx-to-OTC Healthcare Switches 2006-2008

DEFINITIONS

Summary 2 Research Sources

LOCAL COMPANY PROFILES - FRANCE

ARKOPHARMA SA, LABORATOIRES PHARMACEUTIQUES - OTC HEALTHCARE - FRANCE

STRATEGIC DIRECTION

KEY FACTS

Summary 3 Laboratoires Pharmaceutiques Arkopharma SA: Key Facts

Summary 4 Laboratoires Pharmaceutiques Arkopharma SA: Operational Indicators

COMPANY BACKGROUND

COMPETITIVE POSITIONING

Summary 5 Laboratoires Pharmaceutiques Arkopharma SA: Competitive Position 2008

BEAUFOUR-IPSEN SA - OTC HEALTHCARE - FRANCE

STRATEGIC DIRECTION

KEY FACTS

Summary 6 Beaufour-Ipsen SA: Key Facts

Summary 7 Beaufour-Ipsen SA: Operational Indicators

COMPANY BACKGROUND

PRODUCTION

Summary 8 Beaufour-Ipsen SA: Production Statistics 2007

COMPETITIVE POSITIONING

Summary 9 Beaufour-Ipsen SA: Competitive Position 2008

COOPER SA - OTC HEALTHCARE - FRANCE

STRATEGIC DIRECTION

KEY FACTS

Summary 10 Cooper SA: Key Facts

Summary 11 Cooper SA: Operational Indicators

COMPANY BACKGROUND

PRODUCTION

Summary 12 Cooper SA: Production Statistics 2007

COMPETITIVE POSITIONING

Summary 13 Cooper SA: Competitive Position 2008

GLAXOSMITHKLINE SANTé GRAND PUBLIC SAS - OTC HEALTHCARE - FRANCE

STRATEGIC DIRECTION

KEY FACTS

Summary 14 GlaxoSmithKline Santé Grand Public SAS: Key Facts

Summary 15 GlaxoSmithKline Santé Grand Public SAS: Operational Indicators

COMPANY BACKGROUND

PRODUCTION

Summary 16 GlaxoSmithKline France: Production Statistics 2007

COMPETITIVE POSITIONING

Summary 17 GlaxoSmithKline Santé Grand Public SAS: Competitive Position 2008

JUVA SANTé, LABORATOIRES - OTC HEALTHCARE - FRANCE

STRATEGIC DIRECTION

KEY FACTS

Summary 18 Laboratoires Juva Santé: Key Facts

Summary 19 Laboratoires Juva Santé: Operational Indicators

COMPANY BACKGROUND

PRODUCTION

Summary 20 Laboratoires Juva Santé: Production Statistics 2006

COMPETITIVE POSITIONING

Summary 21 Laboratoires Juva Santé: Competitive Position 2008

LABORATOIRES MCNEIL - OTC HEALTHCARE - FRANCE

STRATEGIC DIRECTION

KEY FACTS

Summary 22 Laboratoires McNeil: Key Facts

Summary 23 Laboratoires McNeil: Operational Indicators

COMPANY BACKGROUND

COMPETITIVE POSITIONING

Summary 24 Laboratoires McNeil: Competitive Position 2008

PIERRE FABRE SA, LABORATOIRES - OTC HEALTHCARE - FRANCE

STRATEGIC DIRECTION

KEY FACTS

Summary 25 Laboratoires Pierre Fabre SA: Key Facts

Summary 26 Laboratoires Pierre Fabre SA: Operational Indicators

COMPANY BACKGROUND

PRODUCTION

Summary 27 Laboratoires Pierre Fabre SA: Production Statistics 2007

COMPETITIVE POSITIONING

Summary 28 Laboratoires Pierre Fabre SA: Competitive Position 2008

THéRAPLIX SA - OTC HEALTHCARE - FRANCE

STRATEGIC DIRECTION

KEY FACTS

Summary 29 Théraplix SA: Key Facts

COMPANY BACKGROUND

COMPETITIVE POSITIONING

Summary 30 Théraplix SA: Competitive Position 2008

UPSA, LABORATOIRES - OTC HEALTHCARE - FRANCE

STRATEGIC DIRECTION

KEY FACTS

Summary 31 Laboratoires UPSA: Key Facts

Summary 32 Laboratoires UPSA: Operational Indicators

COMPANY BACKGROUND

PRODUCTION

Summary 33 UPSA Conseil SAS: Production Statistics 2007

COMPETITIVE POSITIONING

Summary 34 UPSA Conseil SAS: Competitive Position 2008

URGO, LABORATOIRES - OTC HEALTHCARE - FRANCE

STRATEGIC DIRECTION

KEY FACTS

Summary 35 Laboratoires Urgo: Key Facts

Summary 36 Laboratoires Urgo: Operational Indicators

COMPANY BACKGROUND

PRODUCTION

COMPETITIVE POSITIONING

Summary 37 Laboratoires Urgo: Competitive Position 2008

ANALGESICS IN FRANCE

HEADLINES

TRENDS

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 FRANCE

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 FRANCE

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 FRANCE

HEADLINES

TRENDS

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 Herbal vs Standard Medicated Skin Care 2003-2008

Table 41 Acne Treatments by Format: % Value Breakdown 2004-2008

Table 42 Medicated Skin Care Company Shares by Value 2004-2008

Table 43 Medicated Skin Care Brand Shares by Value 2005-2008

Table 44 Acne Treatments Brand Shares by Value 2005-2008

Table 45 Hair Loss Treatments Brand Shares by Value 2005-2008

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

Table 47 Forecast Sales of Medicated Skin Care by Subsector: % Value Growth 2008-2013

VITAMINS AND DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS IN FRANCE

HEADLINES

TRENDS - VITAMINS

TRENDS – DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

PROSPECTS

SECTOR DATA

Summary 38 Dietary Supplements: Brand Ranking by Positioning 2008

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

Table 49 Sales of Vitamins and Dietary Supplements by Subsector: % Value Growth 2003-2008

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 FRANCE

HEADLINES

TRENDS

SWITCHES

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

PROSPECTS

SECTOR INDICATORS

Table 58 Number of Smokers by Gender 2003-2008

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 FRANCE

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 FRANCE

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 FRANCE

TRENDS

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 FRANCE

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 FRANCE

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

OTC OBESITY IN FRANCE

TRENDS

SECTOR DATA

Table 97 Forecast Sales of OTC Obesity: Value 2009-2013

Table 98 Forecast Sales of OTC Obesity: % Value Growth 2009-2013

EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTION IN FRANCE

TRENDS

SECTOR DATA

Table 99 Sales of Emergency Contraception: Value 2003-2008

Table 100 Sales of Emergency Contraception: % Value Growth 2003-2008

Table 101 Emergency Contraception Company Shares by Value 2004-2008

Table 102 Emergency Contraception Brand Shares by Value 2005-2008

Table 103 Forecast Sales of Emergency Contraception: Value 2008-2013

Table 104 Forecast Sales of Emergency Contraception: % Value Growth 2008-2013