OTC Healthcare in Ireland
Euromonitor International's OTC Healthcare in Ireland 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: 109 | Publication date: Apr 2009
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 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
Economy slows down, but growth in OTC does not
Although the majority of consumer markets have been negatively affected by Ireland’s economic slowdown, this development has had less of an impact on the overall Irish OTC market. Many of these products (such as analgesics, digestive remedies, medicated skin care, and cough, cold and allergy medicines) are viewed as necessary purchases and have become relatively immune to changes in the macro economy. In some respects, the reduced disposable income from Ireland’s recession has actually helped the growth of some sectors. With the cost of seeing a doctor in Ireland averaging €60, many more consumers have chosen to self-medicate or seek the free advice of a pharmacist. This holds especially true for cold medicines, digestive remedies and medicated skin care used in the treatment of more minor ailments.
Concerns over codeine addiction may be well justified
In 2008, combination analgesics contributed more new sales than any other subsector in the Irish OTC market. The majority of these products can only be sold in pharmacies, due to the fact that they contain codeine (an opium-based drug which is highly addictive). The Solpadeine brand (which is the largest OTC brand on the market) and Nurofen Plus (the second largest OTC brand) are codeine-based analgesics, and both grew strongly in 2008. The success of these brands has raised concerns in the Irish healthcare community. It has been suggested that codeine addiction has become a serious issue in Ireland, and many individuals have called for its switch to prescription-only status. Those severely hooked on Solpadeine can go through several packets of the drug in a single day.
Multinationals control the market
Throughout the review period, multinationals flexed their muscles and bought local companies and/or heavily invested in marketing for their brands. As a result, by the end of 2008, nine of the top 10 players in the market were multinationals, with the top three controlling nearly half of the Irish OTC market. The sentimental attachment to local brands among Irish consumers has finally been severed, making way for large companies with large brands to fill their medicine cabinets.
A shift away from supermarkets occurs for the first time over the review period
The demand for convenience in shopping is now being rivalled by demand for the most powerful medicines available. Restrictions on products containing codeine (such as combination analgesics and stronger cough medicines), ibuprofen and H2 blockers mean that these products can only be sold under the supervision of a pharmacist. Between 2007 and 2008, the shift in distribution towards supermarkets began to reverse for the first time over the review period. The fastest growing distribution channel for OTC medications is now drugstores.
A rise in self-medication will continue to help sales of several sectors
There has been a continuing trend towards self-medication in Ireland, prompted both by the government and interested trade bodies. As a result of the growing importance and popularity of self-medication, spending on OTC drugs is rising. The trend towards self-medication will continue to grow in strength over the forecast period, especially as economic concerns urge consumers to save money on visits to doctors by consulting pharmacists instead. The widening spread of access to the Internet means more consumers will use on-line resources to research their ailments, self-medicate and adapt their lifestyles in accordance with the latest research.
Table of contents
OTC HEALTHCARE IN IRELAND : MARKET INSIGHT
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Economy slows down, but growth in OTC does not
Concerns over codeine addiction may be well justified
Multinationals control the market
A shift away from supermarkets occurs for the first time over the review period
A rise in self-medication will continue to help sales of several sectors
KEY TRENDS AND DEVELOPMENTS
Most OTC sectors remain relatively immune to the economic downturn
Self-medication becoming more common
Consumers are willing to spend more for convenience and speed
Interest in stronger medicines shifts distribution away from supermarkets
Reductions in sick leave and work-related stress benefit OTC sales
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
De-listing and De-reimbursement
Advertising
Packaging and Labelling
Distribution
Vitamins and Dietary Supplements Registration and Classification
EU Legislation
Self-medication and Preventative Medicine
Generics
Switches
DEFINITIONS
Summary 1 Research Sources
LOCAL COMPANY PROFILES - IRELAND
GLAXOSMITHKLINE (IRELAND) LTD - OTC HEALTHCARE - IRELAND
STRATEGIC DIRECTION
KEY FACTS
Summary 2 GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare (Ireland) Ltd: Key Facts
COMPANY BACKGROUND
PRODUCTION
Summary 3 GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare (Ireland) Ltd: Production Statistics 2008
COMPETITIVE POSITIONING
Summary 4 GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare (Ireland) Ltd: Competitive Position 2008
NOURISH - OTC HEALTHCARE - IRELAND
STRATEGIC DIRECTION
KEY FACTS
Summary 5 Nourish: Key Facts
COMPANY BACKGROUND
PRODUCTION
COMPETITIVE POSITIONING
PINEWOOD HEALTHCARE GROUP - OTC HEALTHCARE - IRELAND
STRATEGIC DIRECTION
KEY FACTS
Summary 6 Pinewood Healthcare Group: Key Facts
COMPANY BACKGROUND
PRODUCTION
Summary 7 Pinewood Healthcare Group: Production Statistics 2008
COMPETITIVE POSITIONING
Summary 8 Pinewood Healthcare Group: Competitive Position 2008
SONA NUTRITION LTD - OTC HEALTHCARE - IRELAND
STRATEGIC DIRECTION
KEY FACTS
Summary 9 Sona Nutrition Ltd: Key Facts
COMPANY BACKGROUND
PRODUCTION
Summary 10 Sona Nutrition Ltd: Production Statistics 2008
COMPETITIVE POSITIONING
Summary 11 Sona Nutrition Ltd: Competitive Position 2008
TESCO IRELAND LTD - OTC HEALTHCARE - IRELAND
STRATEGIC DIRECTION
KEY FACTS
Summary 12 Tesco Ireland Ltd: Key Facts
COMPANY BACKGROUND
PRODUCTION
COMPETITIVE POSITIONING
ANALGESICS IN IRELAND
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 IRELAND
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 IRELAND
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 IRELAND
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 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 IRELAND
HEADLINES
TRENDS
COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE
PROSPECTS
SECTOR DATA
Table 48 Dietary Supplements: Brand Ranking by Positioning 2008
SECTOR DATA
Table 49 Sales of Vitamins and Dietary Supplements by Subsector: Value 2003-2008
Table 50 Sales of Vitamins and Dietary Supplements by Subsector: % Value Growth 2003-2008
Table 51 Folic Acid v Other B Vitamins 2004-2008
Table 52 Dietary Supplements by Positioning 2006-2008
Table 53 Vitamins and Dietary Supplements Company Shares by Value 2004-2008
Table 54 Vitamins and Dietary Supplements Brand Shares by Value 2005-2008
Table 55 Vitamins Brand Shares by Value 2005-2008
Table 56 Dietary Supplements Brand Shares by Value 2005-2008
Table 57 Forecast Sales of Vitamins and Dietary Supplements by Subsector: Value 2008-2013
Table 58 Forecast Sales of Vitamins and Dietary Supplements by Subsector: % Value Growth 2008-2013
NRT SMOKING CESSATION AIDS IN IRELAND
HEADLINES
TRENDS
SWITCHES
COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE
PROSPECTS
SECTOR INDICATORS
Table 59 Number of Smokers by Gender 2003-2008
SECTOR DATA
Table 60 Sales of Smoking Cessation Aids by Subsector: Value 2003-2008
Table 61 Sales of Smoking Cessation Aids by Subsector: % Value Growth 2003-2008
Table 62 NRT Gum Flavours: % Value Breakdown 2006-2008
Table 63 Smoking Cessation Aids Company Shares by Value 2004-2008
Table 64 Smoking Cessation Aids Brand Shares by Value 2005-2008
Table 65 Forecast Sales of Smoking Cessation Aids by Subsector: Value 2008-2013
Table 66 Forecast Sales of Smoking Cessation Aids by Subsector: % Value Growth 2008-2013
EYE CARE IN IRELAND
SECTOR DATA
Table 67 Sales of Eye Care by Subsector: Value 2003-2008
Table 68 Sales of Eye Care by Subsector: % Value Growth 2003-2008
Table 69 Standard Eye Care by Type: % Value Breakdown 2007-2008
Table 70 Eye Care Company Shares by Value 2004-2008
Table 71 Eye Care Brand Shares by Value 2005-2008
Table 72 Forecast Sales of Eye Care by Subsector: Value 2008-2013
Table 73 Forecast Sales of Eye Care by Subsector: % Value Growth 2008-2013
EAR CARE IN IRELAND
SECTOR DATA
Table 74 Sales of Ear Care: Value 2003-2008
Table 75 Sales of Ear Care: % Value Growth 2003-2008
Table 76 Ear Care Company Shares by Value 2004-2008
Table 77 Ear Care Brand Shares by Value 2005-2008
Table 78 Forecast Sales of Ear Care: Value 2008-2013
Table 79 Forecast Sales of Ear Care: % Value Growth 2008-2013
ADULT MOUTH CARE IN IRELAND
HEADLINES
SECTOR DATA
Table 80 Sales of Adult Mouth Care: Value 2003-2008
Table 81 Sales of Adult Mouth Care: % Value Growth 2003-2008
Table 82 Adult Mouth Care Company Shares by Value 2004-2008
Table 83 Adult Mouth Care Brand Shares by Value 2005-2008
Table 84 Forecast Sales of Adult Mouth Care: Value 2008-2013
Table 85 Forecast Sales of Adult Mouth Care: % Value Growth 2008-2013
CALMING AND SLEEPING PRODUCTS IN IRELAND
SECTOR DATA
Table 86 Sales of Calming and Sleeping Products: Value 2003-2008
Table 87 Sales of Calming and Sleeping Products: % Value Growth 2003-2008
Table 88 Calming and Sleeping Products Company Shares by Value 2004-2008
Table 89 Calming and Sleeping Products Brand Shares by Value 2005-2008
Table 90 Forecast Sales of Calming and Sleeping Products: Value 2008-2013
Table 91 Forecast Sales of Calming and Sleeping Products: % Value Growth 2008-2013
WOUND TREATMENTS IN IRELAND
SECTOR DATA
Table 92 Sales of Wound Treatments by Subsector: Value 2003-2008
Table 93 Sales of Wound Treatments by Subsector: % Value Growth 2003-2008
Table 94 Wound Treatments Company Shares by Value 2004-2008
Table 95 Wound Treatments Brand Shares by Value 2005-2008
Table 96 Forecast Sales of Wound Treatments by Subsector: Value 2008-2013
Table 97 Forecast Sales of Wound Treatments by Subsector: % Value Growth 2008-2013
EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTION IN IRELAND
TRENDS