OTC Healthcare in Japan

Euromonitor International's OTC Healthcare in Japan 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: 125  |  Publication date: May 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

Maturity produces slow growth

OTC healthcare recorded only sluggish year-on-year growth in 2008 due to the maturity of many sectors within the industry. The health and wellness trend also encouraged consumers to take preventative action to improve their health. Many shifted away from other OTC healthcare products to vitamins and dietary supplements. The strongest growth areas in 2008 were therefore small niches, such as vaginal antifungals and ear care, or products designed to improve health. Multivitamins, glucosamine and many types of dietary supplements also recorded an upward growth trend.

Government encourages self-medication

The rapidly ageing population is now posing problems for the government in terms of healthcare costs and consequently, the government focused on encouraging self-medication towards the end of the review period. This led to a rising number of Rx-to-OTC switches and a relaxation of advertising regulations for OTC healthcare, enabling manufacturers to include clinically proven claims in their advertising. However, ironically the government also focused on improving consumers’ health through advertising campaigns focused on healthy nutrition and lifestyles, which had a detrimental impact on OTC healthcare sales.

Domestic companies dominate

A number of domestic companies held leading roles in OTC healthcare, many of which have an extremely long heritage in the country. The leading players in 2008 were Taisho Pharmaceutical, Takeda Chemical, SSP and Sato Pharmaceutical. However, the competitive environment is becoming fiercer and the leading players lost share during the review period to new entrants. In order to survive, many began to consider mergers and acquisitions in order to strengthen their positions. For example, Daiichi Sankyo, formed from the merger of Daiichi and Sankyo and from the subsequent acquisition of Zepharma, further boosted its position in 2008 after only just entering the market the year before.

Distribution remains restricted

OTC healthcare continued to be governed by stringent distribution regulations during the review period, with many products restricted to pharmacy retail. Consequently, chemists/pharmacies and parapharmacies/drugstores together accounted for a leading share of value sales in 2008. However, there were some signs that sales were broadening out to other channels, with mass merchandisers gaining share during the review period and internet retailing achieving strong share growth.

Shrinking sales over the forecast period

OTC healthcare is expected to shrink during the forecast period. What growth there is will be supported by the ageing population as well as the government’s aim of increasing self-medication. However, the effects of these trends will be largely outweighed by the influence of the health and wellness trend, with many consumers successfully improving their general health through improved nutrition and healthier lifestyles creating lower demand for OTC healthcare. Other than for a few dynamic niches, growth will be concentrated on products that help consumers achieve healthier lifestyles, such as fish oils, echinacea and NRT smoking cessation aids.

Table of contents

OTC HEALTHCARE IN JAPAN : MARKET INSIGHT

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Maturity produces slow growth

Government encourages self-medication

Domestic companies dominate

Distribution remains restricted

Shrinking sales over the forecast period

KEY TRENDS AND DEVELOPMENTS

Demographic changes shape consumer demand

Government focuses on reducing medical costs

Men’s health

Strong players face challenges through mergers

Distribution on the brink of expansion

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 preventative medicine

Generics

Switches

Summary 1 OTC Healthcare Switches 2005-2008

DEFINITIONS

Summary 2 Research Sources

LOCAL COMPANY PROFILES - JAPAN

DAIICHI SANKYO CO LTD - OTC HEALTHCARE - JAPAN

STRATEGIC DIRECTION

KEY FACTS

Summary 3 Daichi Sankyo Co Ltd: Key Facts

COMPANY BACKGROUND

PRODUCTION

COMPETITIVE POSITIONING

Summary 4 DaiichiSankyo Group: Competitive Position 2008

EISAI CO LTD - OTC HEALTHCARE - JAPAN

STRATEGIC DIRECTION

KEY FACTS

Summary 5 Eisai Co Ltd: Key Facts

Summary 6 Eisai Co Ltd: Operational Indicators

PRODUCTION

COMPETITIVE POSITIONING

Summary 7 Eisai Co Ltd: Competitive Position 2008

HISAMITSU PHARMACEUTICAL CO INC - OTC HEALTHCARE - JAPAN

STRATEGIC DIRECTION

KEY FACTS

Summary 8 Hisamitsu Pharmaceutical Co Inc: Key Facts

Summary 9 Hisamitsu Pharmaceutical Co Inc: Operational Indicators

COMPANY BACKGROUND

PRODUCTION

COMPETITIVE POSITIONING

Summary 10 Hisamitsu Pharmaceutical Co Inc: Competitive Position 2008

LION CORP - OTC HEALTHCARE - JAPAN

STRATEGIC DIRECTION

KEY FACTS

Summary 11 Lion Corp: Key Facts

Summary 12 Lion Corp: Operational Indicators

COMPANY BACKGROUND

PRODUCTION

COMPETITIVE POSITIONING

Summary 13 Lion Corp: Competitive Position 2008

MIKI CORP - OTC HEALTHCARE - JAPAN

STRATEGIC DIRECTION

KEY FACTS

Summary 14 Miki Corp: Key Facts

COMPANY BACKGROUND

PRODUCTION

Summary 15 Miki Corp: Production Statistics 2008

COMPETITIVE POSITIONING

Summary 16 Miki Corp: Competitive Position 2008

ROHTO PHARMACEUTICAL CO LTD - OTC HEALTHCARE - JAPAN

STRATEGIC DIRECTION

KEY FACTS

Summary 17 Rohto Pharmaceutical Co Ltd: Key Facts

Summary 18 Rohto Pharmaceutical Co Ltd: Operational Indicators

COMPANY BACKGROUND

PRODUCTION

COMPETITIVE POSITIONING

Summary 19 Rohto Pharmaceutical Co Ltd: Competitive Position 2008

SAHTO PHARMACEUTICAL CO LTD - OTC HEALTHCARE - JAPAN

STRATEGIC DIRECTION

KEY FACTS

Summary 20 Sato Pharmaceutical Co Ltd: Key Facts

COMPANY BACKGROUND

PRODUCTION

COMPETITIVE POSITIONING

Summary 21 Sato Pharmaceutical Co Ltd: Competitive Position 2008

SSP CO LTD - OTC HEALTHCARE - JAPAN

STRATEGIC DIRECTION

KEY FACTS

Summary 22 SSP Co Ltd: Key Facts

Summary 23 SSP Co Ltd: Operational Indicators

COMPANY BACKGROUND

PRODUCTION

COMPETITIVE POSITIONING

Summary 24 SSP Co Ltd: Competitive Position 2008

TAISHO PHARMACEUTICAL CO LTD - OTC HEALTHCARE - JAPAN

STRATEGIC DIRECTION

KEY FACTS

Summary 25 Taisho Pharmaceutical Co Ltd: Key Facts

Summary 26 Taisho Pharmaceutical Co Ltd: Operational Indicators

COMPANY BACKGROUND

PRODUCTION

COMPETITIVE POSITIONING

Summary 27 Taisho Pharmaceutical Co Ltd: Competitive Position 2008

TAKEDA CHEMICAL INDUSTRIES LTD - OTC HEALTHCARE - JAPAN

STRATEGIC DIRECTION

KEY FACTS

Summary 28 Takeda Chemical Industries Ltd: Key Facts

Summary 29 Takeda Chemical Industries Ltd: Operational Indicators

COMPANY BACKGROUND

PRODUCTION

COMPETITIVE POSITIONING

Summary 30 Takeda Chemical Industries Ltd: Competitive Position 2008

ANALGESICS IN JAPAN

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 JAPAN

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

Table 25 Cough, Cold and Allergy (Hay Fever) Remedies Company Shares by Value 2004-2008

Table 26 Cough, Cold and Allergy (Hay Fever) Remedies Brand Shares by Value 2005-2008

Table 27 Forecast Sales of Cough, Cold and Allergy (Hay Fever) Remedies by Subsector: Value 2008-2013

Table 28 Forecast Sales of Cough, Cold and Allergy (Hay Fever) Remedies by Subsector: % Value Growth 2008-2013

DIGESTIVE REMEDIES IN JAPAN

TRENDS

SWITCHES

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

PROSPECTS

SECTOR DATA

Table 29 Sales of Digestive Remedies by Subsector: Value 2003-2008

Table 30 Sales of Digestive Remedies by Subsector: % Value Growth 2003-2008

Table 31 Herbal vs Standard Digestive Remedies 2003-2008

Table 32 Digestive Remedies Company Shares by Value 2004-2008

Table 33 Digestive Remedies Brand Shares by Value 2005-2008

Table 34 Forecast Sales of Digestive Remedies by Subsector: Value 2008-2013

Table 35 Forecast Sales of Digestive Remedies by Subsector: % Value Growth 2008-2013

MEDICATED SKIN CARE IN JAPAN

HEADLINES

TRENDS

SWITCHES

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

PROSPECTS

SECTOR DATA

Table 36 Sales of Medicated Skin Care by Subsector: Value 2003-2008

Table 37 Sales of Medicated Skin Care by Subsector: % Value Growth 2003-2008

Table 38 Herbal vs Standard Medicated Skin Care 2003-2008

Table 39 Acne Treatments by Format: % Value Breakdown 2004-2008

Table 40 Medicated Skin Care Company Shares by Value 2004-2008

Table 41 Medicated Skin Care Brand Shares by Value 2005-2008

Table 42 Acne Treatments Brand Shares by Value 2005-2008

Table 43 Hair Loss Treatments Brand Shares by Value 2005-2008

Table 44 Forecast Sales of Medicated Skin Care by Subsector: Value 2008-2013

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

VITAMINS AND DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS IN JAPAN

HEADLINES

TRENDS - VITAMINS

TRENDS – DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

PROSPECTS

Table 46 Dietary Supplements: Brand Ranking by Positioning

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 Folic Acid v Other B Vitamins 2004-2008

Table 50 Dietary Supplements by Positioning 2006-2008

Table 51 Vitamins and Dietary Supplements Company Shares by Value 2004-2008

Table 52 Vitamins and Dietary Supplements Brand Shares by Value 2005-2008

Table 53 Vitamins Brand Shares by Value 2005-2008

Table 54 Dietary Supplements Brand Shares by Value 2005-2008

Table 55 Forecast Sales of Vitamins and Dietary Supplements by Subsector: Value 2008-2013

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

NRT SMOKING CESSATION AIDS IN JAPAN

HEADLINES

TRENDS

SWITCHES

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

PROSPECTS

SECTOR INDICATORS

Table 57 Number of Smokers by Gender 2003-2008

SECTOR DATA

Table 58 Sales of Smoking Cessation Aids by Subsector: Value 2003-2008

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

Table 60 NRT Gum Flavours: % Value Breakdown 2006-2008

Table 61 Smoking Cessation Aids Company Shares by Value 2004-2008

Table 62 Smoking Cessation Aids Brand Shares by Value 2005-2008

Table 63 Forecast Sales of Smoking Cessation Aids by Subsector: Value 2008-2013

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

EYE CARE IN JAPAN

SECTOR DATA

Table 65 Sales of Eye Care by Subsector: Value 2003-2008

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

Table 67 Standard Eye Care by Type: % Value Breakdown 2007-2008

Table 68 Eye Care Company Shares by Value 2004-2008

Table 69 Eye Care Brand Shares by Value 2005-2008

Table 70 Forecast Sales of Eye Care by Subsector: Value 2008-2013

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

EAR CARE IN JAPAN

SECTOR DATA

Table 72 Sales of Ear Care: Value 2003-2008

Table 73 Sales of Ear Care: % Value Growth 2003-2008

Table 74 Ear Care Company Shares by Value 2004-2008

Table 75 Ear Care Brand Shares by Value 2005-2008

Table 76 Forecast Sales of Ear Care: Value 2008-2013

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

ADULT MOUTH CARE IN JAPAN

HEADLINES

SECTOR DATA

Table 78 Sales of Adult Mouth Care: Value 2003-2008

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

Table 80 Adult Mouth Care Company Shares by Value 2004-2008

Table 81 Adult Mouth Care Brand Shares by Value 2005-2008

Table 82 Forecast Sales of Adult Mouth Care: Value 2008-2013

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

CALMING AND SLEEPING PRODUCTS IN JAPAN

SECTOR DATA

Table 84 Sales of Calming and Sleeping Products: Value 2003-2008

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

Table 86 Calming and Sleeping Products Company Shares by Value 2004-2008

Table 87 Calming and Sleeping Products Brand Shares by Value 2005-2008

Table 88 Forecast Sales of Calming and Sleeping Products: Value 2008-2013

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

WOUND TREATMENTS IN JAPAN

SECTOR DATA

Table 90 Sales of Wound Treatments by Subsector: Value 2003-2008

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

Table 92 Wound Treatments Company Shares by Value 2004-2008

Table 93 Wound Treatments Brand Shares by Value 2005-2008

Table 94 Forecast Sales of Wound Treatments by Subsector: Value 2008-2013

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

EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTION IN JAPAN

TRENDS