OTC
OTC Healthcare

OTC Healthcare in the United Kingdom

United Kingdom

Euromonitor International's OTC Healthcare in the United Kingdom 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: 113  |  Publication date: Aug 2007
Cost: 
GBP1200.00

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 mouthcare; 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

Sales up in 2006

Value sales of OTC healthcare rose a further 3% in 2006, compared to 2% in 2005. Previous poor performance of cough, cold and allergy remedies began to turn around in 2006, despite being subject to the continued EDLP (every day low prices) strategies of leading multiple grocers. Following the abolition of retail price maintenance (RPM) in 2001, grocery multiples are continuing to reduce prices on a wide range of OTC products, but rising demand has offset this negative influence on value sales overall.

Key drivers of growth

Vitamins and dietary supplements, along with medicated skin care and child-specific products saw particularly high value gains in 2006. In each case, greater consumer awareness of issues concerning health and wellness supported sales. In dietary supplements, for example, media coverage espousing the virtues of fish oils helped stimulate demand. More dynamic growth was evident in less developed sectors, with OTC statins and emergency contraception seeing value growth of 38% and 13% respectively.

Consolidation continues

The OTC healthcare market is characterised by a distinct shift towards consolidation. By far the most significant development during the review period was the acquisition by Reckitt Benckiser of Boots Healthcare International, finalised in February 2006 in line with its strategic focus on its retail pharmacy business. This acquisition has given Reckitt Benckiser popular UK brands Optrex (eye care), E45 and Clearasil (both medicated skin care). In addition to this, in June 2006, Pfizer Inc announced its intention to sell its Consumer Healthcare division to Johnson & Johnson. The deal creates one of the world’s largest healthcare companies.

Legislation to accelerate reclassification of OTC status

Legislation has proved important in shaping sales across the OTC healthcare market. In May 2006 the government published its first Better Regulation of Over the Counter Medicines Initiative (BROMI) report. The recommendations aim to reduce time spent on administration and divert funds back into speeding up the reclassification process to enable more products to reach OTC status sooner.

Multiple grocers fight for OTC share

The major distribution trend in the OTC healthcare market during the review period was growth in sales through grocery outlets, which has brought chemists and pharmacies in line to face more direct and fierce competition. The increasing trend towards purchasing OTC via supermarkets was accelerated by the abolition of RPM, which meant that chains such Asda, Tesco and Sainsbury’s slashed the prices of key OTC brands, such as Nurofen, Lemsip and Rennie, and promoted multiple purchase offers. As a result, newly formed Alliance Boots lodged a complaint with the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) about Tesco’s multiple purchase offers on Resolve and Resolve Extra products. In response, the MHRA agreed with all major retailers to adhere to the spirit of the 1998 restrictions on pack sizes for analgesics.

Trouble ahead?

Over the forecast period the market for OTC products is predicted to continue to grow in value, at a CAGR of around 1%. Keener pricing, especially through major multiples, is likely to continue pressure on prices, especially in what are rapidly becoming the commodity sectors of cough, cold and allergy remedies, and analgesics. There could, however, be a bright future in terms of OTC obesity products, which have already been switched in the Australian market and, in the current climate of “fat Britain”, could well underpin more substantial growth in the market should they similarly move out of Rx status in the UK.

Table of contents

OTC HEALTHCARE IN THE UNITED KINGDOM : MARKET INSIGHT

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

KEY TRENDS AND DEVELOPMENTS

Convenience Shoppers

Children

Ageing Population

Self care and self medication

MARKET INDICATORS

Table 1 Consumer Expenditure on Health Goods and Medical Services 2001-2006

Table 2 Life Expectancy at Birth 2001-2006

MARKET DATA

Table 3 Sales of OTC Healthcare by Sector: Value 2001-2006

Table 4 Sales of OTC Healthcare by Sector: % Value Growth 2001-2006

Table 5 OTC Healthcare Company Shares by Retail Value 2002-2006

Table 6 OTC Healthcare Brand Shares by Retail Value 2003-2006

Table 7 Penetration of Private Label by Sector 2002-2006

Table 8 Sales of OTC Healthcare by Distribution Format: % Analysis 2001/2006

Table 9 Sales of OTC Healthcare by Sector and Distribution Format: % Analysis 2006

Table 10 Forecast Sales of OTC Healthcare by Sector: Value 2006-2011

Table 11 Forecast Sales of OTC Healthcare by Sector: % Value Growth 2006-2011

APPENDIX

OTC Registration and Classification

Vitamins & Dietary Supplements Registration and Classification

Generics

Consumer Expenditure on Health Goods and Medical Services

Table 12 Consumer Expenditure on Health Goods and Medical Services 2001-2006

DEFINITIONS

Sources

Summary 1 Research Sources

LOCAL COMPANY PROFILES - UNITED KINGDOM

BAYER PLC - OTC HEALTHCARE - UNITED KINGDOM

STRATEGIC DIRECTION

KEY FACTS

Summary 2 Bayer Plc: Key Facts

Summary 3 Bayer Plc: Operational Indicators

COMPANY BACKGROUND

PRODUCTION

COMPETITIVE POSITIONING

Summary 4 Bayer Plc: Competitive Position 2006

ERNEST JACKSON LTD - OTC HEALTHCARE - UNITED KINGDOM

STRATEGIC DIRECTION

KEY FACTS

Summary 5 Ernest Jackson Ltd: Key Facts

COMPANY BACKGROUND

PRODUCTION

Summary 6 Ernest Jackson Ltd: Production Statistics 2006

COMPETITIVE POSITIONING

Summary 7 Ernest Jackson Ltd: Competitive Position 2006

GLAXOSMITHKLINE PLC - OTC HEALTHCARE - UNITED KINGDOM

STRATEGIC DIRECTION

KEY FACTS

Summary 8 GlaxoSmithKline Plc: Key Facts

Summary 9 GlaxoSmithKline Plc: Operational Indicators

COMPANY BACKGROUND

PRODUCTION

COMPETITIVE POSITIONING

Summary 10 GlaxoSmithKline: Competitive Position 2006

JOHNSON & JOHNSON MSD - OTC HEALTHCARE - UNITED KINGDOM

STRATEGIC DIRECTION

KEY FACTS

Summary 11 Johnson & Johnson MSD: Key Facts

Summary 12 Johnson & Johnson MSD: Operational Indicators

COMPANY BACKGROUND

COMPETITIVE POSITIONING

Summary 13 Johnson & Johnson MSD: Competitive Position 2006

NOVARTIS CONSUMER HEALTH UK LTD - OTC HEALTHCARE - UNITED KINGDOM

STRATEGIC DIRECTION

KEY FACTS

Summary 14 Novartis Consumer Health UK Ltd: Key Facts

COMPANY BACKGROUND

PRODUCTION

COMPETITIVE POSITIONING

Summary 15 Novartis Consumer Health UK Ltd: Competitive Position 2006

PROCTER & GAMBLE LTD - OTC HEALTHCARE - UNITED KINGDOM

STRATEGIC DIRECTION

KEY FACTS

Summary 16 Procter & Gamble UK: Key Facts

COMPANY BACKGROUND

COMPETITIVE POSITIONING

Summary 17 Procter & Gamble UK: Competitive Position 2006

RECKITT BENCKISER PLC - OTC HEALTHCARE - UNITED KINGDOM

STRATEGIC DIRECTION

KEY FACTS

Summary 18 Reckitt Benckiser UK Ltd: Key Facts

Summary 19 Reckitt Benckiser UK Ltd: Operational Indicators

COMPANY BACKGROUND

PRODUCTION

COMPETITIVE POSITIONING

Summary 20 Reckitt Benckiser Plc: Competitive Position 2006

SEVEN SEAS LTD - OTC HEALTHCARE - UNITED KINGDOM

STRATEGIC DIRECTION

KEY FACTS

Summary 21 Seven Seas Ltd: Key Facts

Summary 22 Seven Seas Ltd: Operational Indicators

COMPANY BACKGROUND

PRODUCTION

COMPETITIVE POSITIONING

Summary 23 Seven Seas Ltd: Competitive Position 2006

SSL INTERNATIONAL PLC - OTC HEALTHCARE - UNITED KINGDOM

STRATEGIC DIRECTION

KEY FACTS

Summary 24 SSL International Plc: Key Facts

Summary 25 SSL International Plc: Operational Indicators

COMPANY BACKGROUND

PRODUCTION

Summary 26 SSL International Plc: Production Statistics 2006

COMPETITIVE POSITIONING

Summary 27 SSL International Plc: Competitive Position 2006

WYETH CONSUMER HEALTHCARE LTD - OTC HEALTHCARE - UNITED KINGDOM

STRATEGIC DIRECTION

KEY FACTS

Summary 28 Wyeth Consumer Healthcare: Key Facts

Summary 29 Wyeth Consumer Healthcare: Operational Indicators

COMPANY BACKGROUND

PRODUCTION

Summary 30 Wyeth Consumer Healthcare: Production Statistics 2006

COMPETITIVE POSITIONING

Table 13 Summary4 Wyeth Consumer Healthcare: Competitive Position 2006

ANALGESICS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM

HEADLINES

TRENDS

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

PROSPECTS

SECTOR DATA

Table 14 Sales of Analgesics by Subsector: Value 2001-2006

Table 15 Sales of Analgesics by Subsector: % Value Growth 2001-2006

Table 16 Herbal vs Standard Topical Analgesics 2001/2006

Table 17 Analgesics Company Shares by Retail Value 2002-2006

Table 18 Analgesics Brand Shares by Retail Value 2003-2006

Table 19 Forecast Sales of Analgesics by Subsector: Value 2006-2011

Table 20 Forecast Sales of Analgesics by Subsector: % Value Growth 2006-2011

COUGH, COLD AND ALLERGY (HAY FEVER) REMEDIES IN THE UNITED KINGDOM

HEADLINES

TRENDS

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

PROSPECTS

SECTOR DATA

Table 21 Sales of Cough, Cold and Allergy (Hay Fever) Remedies by Subsector: Value 2001-2006

Table 22 Sales of Cough, Cold and Allergy (Hay Fever) Remedies by Subsector: % Value Growth 2001-2006

Table 23 Sales of Decongestants by Type: Value 2001-2006

Table 24 Sales of Decongestants by Type: % Value Growth 2001-2006

Table 25 Sales of Child-specific Cough, Cold and Allergy (Hay Fever) Remedies by Type: Value 2001-2006

Table 26 Sales of Child-specific Cough, Cold and Allergy (Hay Fever) Remedies by Type: % Value Growth 2001-2006

Table 27 Herbal vs Standard Cough, Cold and Allergy (Hay Fever) Remedies 2001/2006

Table 28 Cough, Cold and Allergy (Hay Fever) Remedies Company Shares by Retail Value 2002-2006

Table 29 Cough, Cold and Allergy (Hay Fever) Remedies Brand Shares by Retail Value 2003-2006

Table 30 Forecast Sales of Cough, Cold and Allergy (Hay Fever) Remedies by Subsector: Value 2006-2011

Table 31 Forecast Sales of Cough, Cold and Allergy (Hay Fever) Remedies by Subsector: % Value Growth 2006-2011

DIGESTIVE REMEDIES IN THE UNITED KINGDOM

HEADLINES

TRENDS

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

PROSPECTS

SECTOR DATA

Table 32 Sales of Digestive Remedies by Subsector: Value 2001-2006

Table 33 Sales of Digestive Remedies by Subsector: % Value Growth 2001-2006

Table 34 Herbal vs Standard Digestive Remedies 2001/2006

Table 35 Digestive Remedies Company Shares by Retail Value 2002-2006

Table 36 Digestive Remedies Brand Shares by Retail Value 2003-2006

Table 37 Forecast Sales of Digestive Remedies by Subsector: Value 2006-2011

Table 38 Forecast Sales of Digestive Remedies by Subsector: % Value Growth 2006-2011

MEDICATED SKIN CARE IN THE UNITED KINGDOM

HEADLINES

TRENDS

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

PROSPECTS

SECTOR DATA

Table 39 Sales of Medicated Skin Care by Subsector: Value 2001-2006

Table 40 Sales of Medicated Skin Care by Subsector: % Value Growth 2001-2006

Table 41 Herbal vs Standard Medicated Skin Care 2001/2006

Table 42 Medicated Skin Care Company Shares by Retail Value 2002-2006

Table 43 Medicated Skin Care Brand Shares by Retail Value 2003-2006

Table 44 Acne Treatments Brand Shares by Retail Value 2003-2006

Table 45 Hair Loss Treatments Brand Shares by Retail Value 2003-2006

Table 46 Forecast Sales of Medicated Skin Care by Subsector: Value 2006-2011

Table 47 Forecast Sales of Medicated Skin Care by Subsector: % Value Growth 2006-2011

VITAMINS AND DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM

HEADLINES

TRENDS

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

PROSPECTS

SECTOR DATA

Table 48 Sales of Vitamins and Dietary Supplements by Subsector: Value 2001-2006

Table 49 Sales of Vitamins and Dietary Supplements by Subsector: % Value Growth 2001-2006

Table 50 Sales of Vitamins by Type: Value 2001-2006

Table 51 Sales of Vitamins by Type: % Value Growth 2001-2006

Table 52 Vitamins and Dietary Supplements Company Shares by Retail Value 2002-2006

Table 53 Vitamins and Dietary Supplements Brand Shares by Retail Value 2003-2006

Table 54 Vitamins Brand Shares by Retail Value 2003-2006

Table 55 Sales of Dietary Supplements by Type: Value 2001-2006

Table 56 Sales of Dietary Supplements by Type: % Value Growth 2001-2006

Table 57 Dietary Supplements Brand Shares by Retail Value 2003-2006

Table 58 Forecast Sales of Vitamins and Dietary Supplements by Subsector: Value 2006-2011

Table 59 Forecast Sales of Vitamins and Dietary Supplements by Subsector: % Value Growth 2006-2011

NRT SMOKING CESSATION AIDS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM

HEADLINES

TRENDS

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

PROSPECTS

SECTOR INDICATORS

Table 60 Number of Smokers by Gender 2001-2006

SECTOR DATA

Table 61 Sales of Smoking Cessation Aids by Subsector: Value 2001-2006

Table 62 Sales of Smoking Cessation Aids by Subsector: % Value Growth 2001-2006

Table 63 Smoking Cessation Aids Company Shares by Retail Value 2002-2006

Table 64 Smoking Cessation Aids Brand Shares by Retail Value 2003-2006

Table 65 Forecast Sales of Smoking Cessation Aids by Subsector: Value 2006-2011

Table 66 Forecast Sales of Smoking Cessation Aids by Subsector: % Value Growth 2006-2011

EAR CARE IN THE UNITED KINGDOM

OVERVIEW

ADULT MOUTHCARE IN THE UNITED KINGDOM

OVERVIEW

CALMING AND SLEEPING PRODUCTS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM

OVERVIEW

WOUND TREATMENTS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM

OVERVIEW

SECTOR DATA

Table 67 Sales of Wound Treatments by Subsector: Value 2001-2006

Table 68 Sales of Wound Treatments by Subsector: % Value Growth 2001-2006

Table 69 Wound Treatments Company Shares by Retail Value 2002-2006

Table 70 Wound Treatments Brand Shares by Retail Value 2003-2006

Table 71 Forecast Sales of Wound Treatments by Subsector: Value 2006-2011

Table 72 Forecast Sales of Wound Treatments by Subsector: % Value Growth 2006-2011

EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTION IN THE UNITED KINGDOM

OVERVIEW

SECTOR DATA

Table 73 Sales of Emergency Contraception by Subsector: Value 2001-2006

Table 74 Sales of Emergency Contraception by Subsector: % Value Growth 2001-2006

Table 75 Forecast Sales of Emergency Contraception by Subsector: Value 2006-2011

Table 76 Forecast Sales of Emergency Contraception by Subsector: % Value Growth 2006-2011

OTC STATINS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM

OVERVIEW

SECTOR DATA

Table 77 Sales of OTC Statins by Subsector: Value 2004-2006

Table 78 Sales of OTC Statins by Subsector: % Value Growth 2004-2006

Table 79 Forecast Sales of OTC Statins by Subsector: Value 2006-2011

Table 80 Forecast Sales of OTC Statins by Subsector: % Value Growth 2006-2011

OTC TRIPTANS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM

OVERVIEW

SECTOR DATA

Table 81 Sales of OTC Triptans by Subsector: Value 2006

Table 82 Forecast Sales of OTC Triptans by Subsector: Value 2006-2011

Table 83 Forecast Sales of OTC Triptans by Subsector: % Value Growth 2006-2011

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