OTC Healthcare in the Netherlands

Euromonitor International's OTC Healthcare in the Netherlands 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: 119  |  Publication date: May 2009
Cost: 
GBP1500.00

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

Prevention and innovation trends drive demand in 2008

OTC healthcare in the Netherlands registered healthy growth in 2008 that was better than that seen the previous year. While the market is still considered underdeveloped due to a traditionally strictly regulated environment and a conservative attitude among Dutch consumers towards self-medication, sales increased thanks to the ongoing heath trend and a higher commitment towards prevention among the population. This trend shifted demand towards more expensive and sophisticated products, including offerings in smaller or less developed niches, such as the analgesics diclofenac and naproxen.

Moderate impact of more open distribution through supermarkets

The path for self-selection, represented by the possibility for consumers to buy OTC drugs from open shelves, evolved further in 2008 as new legislation allowed these products to be sold via self-selection in supermarkets. Supermarkets still did not fully profit from the change, with many smaller and medium-sized supermarkets opting not to stock a large number of OTC products on open shelves. Nonetheless, more Dutch consumers were directly exposed to OTC healthcare products, triggering greater investment in advertising and promotion, and encouraging manufacturers to revamp their packaging in order to better compete and communicate their products’ functional attributes to potential consumers.

Continuing concentration trend among larger manufacturers

The Dutch OTC healthcare market in the Netherlands shows a fair degree of concentration, with the main companies, such as Bayer, Wyeth, Chefaro, GlaxoSmithKline and Vemedia, taking the majority share thanks to a long-established presence with top brands. Smaller manufacturers were able to maintain or grow shares by becoming established in niches. Increased concentration among multinationals continued in 2008, placing greater pressure on smaller or mid-size manufacturers to join forces or be acquired, due to their lesser ability to compete and invest in research, product developments and promotional activities. Merger activity continued in 2008. For example, traditional firm Bional was acquired by Canadian group Atrium Communications.

Online sales gradually increasing

Distribution of OTC healthcare products remains concentrated among traditional channels such as drugstores and specialists, with supermarkets still not fully profiting from more flexible legislation that since 2007 has permitted open distribution via store shelves, rather than requiring OTC healthcare products to be placed behind a counter. Internet sales of vitamins and dietary supplements remained low in 2008, but nonetheless enjoyed greater popularity among Dutch consumers. The role of the Internet in relation to the OTC healthcare market was until 2008 limited to promoting companies and brands and providing consumers with product information.

Dutch quest for prevention to drive future demand

The Dutch OTC healthcare market is expected to register a positive performance over the forecast period, albeit at lower rates than experienced over the review period as a result of market development. However, growth will remain healthy as changes in government policies to promoting health, distribution and consumer education are expected to positively influence market development. The culture towards self-medication is expected to continue growing among Dutch consumers, as manufacturers are committed to investing in new product developments and advertising, encouraging people to shift towards more sophisticated products. Dutch consumers are highly committed to improving their health and well being, which is boosting demand for products that help prevent disease and contribute to maintenance of vitality.

Table of contents

OTC HEALTHCARE IN THE NETHERLANDS : MARKET INSIGHT

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Prevention and innovation trends drive demand in 2008

Moderate impact of more open distribution through supermarkets

Continuing concentration trend among larger manufacturers

Online sales gradually increasing

Dutch quest for prevention to drive future demand

KEY TRENDS AND DEVELOPMENTS

Lower economic expansion envisaged

Health and prevention trends strongly influence OTC healthcare performance

Increasing ageing population influenced by quest for longevity

Dutch consumers become more interested in fitness and sports

Legislative changes allow wider distribution

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

Labelling and patient information

Advertising

Distribution

Vitamins & Dietary Supplements Registration and Classification

EU Legislation

Self-medication and Preventative Medicine

Generics

Switches

Summary 1 OTC Healthcare Switches 2005-2008

DEFINITIONS

Summary 2 Research Sources

LOCAL COMPANY PROFILES - NETHERLANDS

BIONAL PHARMA BV - OTC HEALTHCARE - NETHERLANDS

STRATEGIC DIRECTION

KEY FACTS

Summary 3 Bional Pharma BV: Key Facts

Summary 4 Bional Pharma BV: Operational Indicators

COMPANY BACKGROUND

PRODUCTION

COMPETITIVE POSITIONING

Summary 5 Bional Pharma BV: Competitive Position 2008

CARESSE COSMETICS BV - OTC HEALTHCARE - NETHERLANDS

STRATEGIC DIRECTION

KEY FACTS

Summary 6 Caresse Cosmetics BV: Key Facts

Summary 7 Caresse Cosmetics BV: Operational Indicators

COMPANY BACKGROUND

PRODUCTION

COMPETITIVE POSITIONING

DISTRIBUTIE CARE BV - OTC HEALTHCARE - NETHERLANDS

STRATEGIC DIRECTION

KEY FACTS

Summary 8 Distributie Care BV: Key Facts

COMPANY BACKGROUND

PRODUCTION

COMPETITIVE POSITIONING

Summary 9 Distributie Care BV: Competitive Position 2008

INGROMA BV - OTC HEALTHCARE - NETHERLANDS

STRATEGIC DIRECTION

Summary 10 Ingroma BV: Key Facts

Summary 11 Ingroma BV: Operational Indicators

COMPANY BACKGROUND

PRODUCTION

COMPETITIVE POSITIONING

VEMEDIA BV - OTC HEALTHCARE - NETHERLANDS

STRATEGIC DIRECTION

KEY FACTS

Summary 12 Vemedia BV: Key Facts

Summary 13 Vemedia BV: Operational Indicators

COMPANY BACKGROUND

PRODUCTION

COMPETITIVE POSITIONING

Summary 14 Vemedia BV: Competitive Position 2008

ANALGESICS IN THE NETHERLANDS

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 THE NETHERLANDS

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

Table 27 Sales of Child-specific Cough, Cold and Allergy (Hay Fever) Remedies by Type: % Value Growth 2003-2008

Table 28 Herbal vs Standard Cough, Cold and Allergy (Hay Fever) Remedies 2003-2008

Table 29 Cough, Cold and Allergy (Hay Fever) Remedies Company Shares by Value 2004-2008

Table 30 Cough, Cold and Allergy (Hay Fever) Remedies Brand Shares by Value 2005-2008

Table 31 Forecast Sales of Cough, Cold and Allergy (Hay Fever) Remedies by Subsector: Value 2008-2013

Table 32 Forecast Sales of Cough, Cold and Allergy (Hay Fever) Remedies by Subsector: % Value Growth 2008-2013

DIGESTIVE REMEDIES IN THE NETHERLANDS

HEADLINES

TRENDS

SWITCHES

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

PROSPECTS

SECTOR DATA

Table 33 Sales of Digestive Remedies by Subsector: Value 2003-2008

Table 34 Sales of Digestive Remedies by Subsector: % Value Growth 2003-2008

Table 35 Herbal vs Standard Digestive Remedies 2003-2008

Table 36 Digestive Remedies Company Shares by Value 2004-2008

Table 37 Digestive Remedies Brand Shares by Value 2005-2008

Table 38 Forecast Sales of Digestive Remedies by Subsector: Value 2008-2013

Table 39 Forecast Sales of Digestive Remedies by Subsector: % Value Growth 2008-2013

MEDICATED SKIN CARE IN THE NETHERLANDS

HEADLINES

TRENDS

SWITCHES

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

PROSPECTS

SECTOR DATA

Table 40 Sales of Medicated Skin Care by Subsector: Value 2003-2008

Table 41 Sales of Medicated Skin Care by Subsector: % Value Growth 2003-2008

Table 42 Herbal vs Standard Medicated Skin Care 2003-2008

Table 43 Acne Treatments by Format: % Value Breakdown 2004-2008

Table 44 Medicated Skin Care Company Shares by Value 2004-2008

Table 45 Medicated Skin Care Brand Shares by Value 2005-2008

Table 46 Acne Treatments Brand Shares by Value 2005-2008

Table 47 Hair Loss Treatments Brand Shares by Value 2005-2008

Table 48 Forecast Sales of Medicated Skin Care by Subsector: Value 2008-2013

Table 49 Forecast Sales of Medicated Skin Care by Subsector: % Value Growth 2008-2013

VITAMINS AND DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS IN THE NETHERLANDS

HEADLINES

TRENDS

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

PROSPECTS

SECTOR DATA

Table 50 Dietary Supplements: Brand Ranking by Positioning 2008

SECTOR DATA

Table 51 Sales of Vitamins and Dietary Supplements by Subsector: Value 2003-2008

Table 52 Sales of Vitamins and Dietary Supplements by Subsector: % Value Growth 2003-2008

Table 53 Folic Acid v Other B Vitamins 2004-2008

Table 54 Dietary Supplements by Positioning 2006-2008

Table 55 Vitamins and Dietary Supplements Company Shares by Value 2004-2008

Table 56 Vitamins and Dietary Supplements Brand Shares by Value 2005-2008

Table 57 Vitamins Brand Shares by Value 2005-2008

Table 58 Dietary Supplements Brand Shares by Value 2005-2008

Table 59 Forecast Sales of Vitamins and Dietary Supplements by Subsector: Value 2008-2013

Table 60 Forecast Sales of Vitamins and Dietary Supplements by Subsector: % Value Growth 2008-2013

NRT SMOKING CESSATION AIDS IN THE NETHERLANDS

HEADLINES

TRENDS

SWITCHES

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

PROSPECTS

SECTOR INDICATORS

Table 61 Number of Smokers by Gender 2003-2008

SECTOR DATA

Table 62 Sales of Smoking Cessation Aids by Subsector: Value 2003-2008

Table 63 Sales of Smoking Cessation Aids by Subsector: % Value Growth 2003-2008

Table 64 NRT Gum Flavours: % Value Breakdown 2006-2008

Table 65 Smoking Cessation Aids Company Shares by Value 2004-2008

Table 66 Smoking Cessation Aids Brand Shares by Value 2005-2008

Table 67 Forecast Sales of Smoking Cessation Aids by Subsector: Value 2008-2013

Table 68 Forecast Sales of Smoking Cessation Aids by Subsector: % Value Growth 2008-2013

EYE CARE IN THE NETHERLANDS

SECTOR DATA

Table 69 Sales of Eye Care by Subsector: Value 2003-2008

Table 70 Sales of Eye Care by Subsector: % Value Growth 2003-2008

Table 71 Standard Eye Care by Type: % Value Breakdown 2007-2008

Table 72 Eye Care Company Shares by Value 2004-2008

Table 73 Eye Care Brand Shares by Value 2005-2008

Table 74 Forecast Sales of Eye Care by Subsector: Value 2008-2013

Table 75 Forecast Sales of Eye Care by Subsector: % Value Growth 2008-2013

EAR CARE IN THE NETHERLANDS

SECTOR DATA

Table 76 Sales of Ear Care: Value 2003-2008

Table 77 Sales of Ear Care: % Value Growth 2003-2008

Table 78 Ear Care Company Shares by Value 2004-2008

Table 79 Ear Care Brand Shares by Value 2005-2008

Table 80 Forecast Sales of Ear Care: Value 2008-2013

Table 81 Forecast Sales of Ear Care: % Value Growth 2008-2013

ADULT MOUTH CARE IN THE NETHERLANDS

HEADLINES

SECTOR DATA

Table 82 Sales of Adult Mouth Care: Value 2003-2008

Table 83 Sales of Adult Mouth Care: % Value Growth 2003-2008

Table 84 Adult Mouth Care Company Shares by Value 2004-2008

Table 85 Adult Mouth Care Brand Shares by Value 2005-2008

Table 86 Forecast Sales of Adult Mouth Care: Value 2008-2013

Table 87 Forecast Sales of Adult Mouth Care: % Value Growth 2008-2013

CALMING AND SLEEPING PRODUCTS IN THE NETHERLANDS

SECTOR DATA

Table 88 Sales of Calming and Sleeping Products: Value 2003-2008

Table 89 Sales of Calming and Sleeping Products: % Value Growth 2003-2008

Table 90 Calming and Sleeping Products Company Shares by Value 2004-2008

Table 91 Calming and Sleeping Products Brand Shares by Value 2005-2008

Table 92 Forecast Sales of Calming and Sleeping Products: Value 2008-2013

Table 93 Forecast Sales of Calming and Sleeping Products: % Value Growth 2008-2013

WOUND TREATMENTS IN THE NETHERLANDS

SECTOR DATA

Table 94 Sales of Wound Treatments by Subsector: Value 2003-2008

Table 95 Sales of Wound Treatments by Subsector: % Value Growth 2003-2008

Table 96 Wound Treatments Company Shares by Value 2004-2008

Table 97 Wound Treatments Brand Shares by Value 2005-2008

Table 98 Forecast Sales of Wound Treatments by Subsector: Value 2008-2013

Table 99 Forecast Sales of Wound Treatments by Subsector: % Value Growth 2008-2013

EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTION IN THE NETHERLANDS

SECTOR DATA

Table 100 Sales of Emergency Contraception: Value 2005-2008

Table 101 Sales of Emergency Contraception: % Value Growth 2005-2008

Table 102 Emergency Contraception Company Shares by Value 2005-2008

Table 103 Emergency Contraception Brand Shares by Value 2005-2008

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

Table 105 Forecast Sales of Emergency Contraception: % Value Growth 2008-2013