OTC Healthcare in Thailand

Euromonitor International's OTC Healthcare in Thailand 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: 110  |  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

Growth in OTC healthcare market slows as consumers tighten budgets

In 2008 the market for OTC healthcare products in Thailand experienced slower growth compared with the performance seen in 2007, and also the review period CAGR. This was largely due to the economic downturn which hit Thailand along with the rest of the world, with consumers tightening their budgets and reducing discretionary spending. This was exacerbated by higher inflation in 2008, which led to price increases of daily essentials such as fresh food, further reducing consumers’ disposable income. This resulted in an increasing number of consumers purchasing OTC healthcare products on a need-to-use basis only, as well as turning to free-medication services offered by government agencies in an effort to cut costs, which adversely affected the retail sales of OTC healthcare products.

Advertising and marketing strategies drive brand sales

Key players in the OTC healthcare market experienced difficulty in increasing their share due to a growing array of options and products available to consumers, with certain products such as analgesics and cough, cold and allergies remedies facing stagnation. This made it difficult for players to expand the size of the OTC healthcare market and increase value. This led them to pursue a strategy of protecting their shares while at the same time cannibalising sales of their competitors through increasingly aggressive marketing and advertising campaigns designed to foster brand loyalty and gain share.

Major players gain ground as smaller players face regulatory difficulties

The major players in the OTC healthcare market either maintained or increased their share in 2008 thanks to increased investment in marketing and advertising. However, smaller players faced difficulties over the same period as regulatory change aimed at improving the standard of safety and manufacturing in the market took effect, requiring improvements in location, materials, machinery and personnel for smaller players deficient in these areas. This forced smaller manufacturers to invest in infrastructure to meet these new, stricter regulatory standards, with the Ministry of Health expected to investigate more stringently the manufacturing processes of all players. The result is that small players which are inefficient or on the margin are expected to exit, with major players benefiting from reduced competition.

Hospitals a significant distribution channel

Hospitals are increasing their share of the OTC healthcare market as a distribution channel, along with other store-based distribution channels such as pharmacies and para-pharmacies. The increasing importance of hospitals as a distribution channel can be traced to the Bt30.00 health reform programme. This capped the maximum amount any Thai citizen would have to pay for medical services or drugs provided at government hospitals, with an exodus of Thai citizens to government hospitals for their healthcare needs, which increased the amount of OTC healthcare products distributed through hospitals. Hospitals are also popular venues for major players to introduce and distribute new and existing products in order to increase public awareness of their brands. This trend is expected to increase in significance over the forecast period, with manufacturers possibly shifting a larger proportion of their distribution to hospitals.

Fast-paced and stressful lifestyles increase minor ailments and illness

The increasingly stressful and fast-paced lifestyles of most urban Thais worsened recently as a result of negative developments in local politics, economics and society. This led to an increase in the incidence of minor ailments and illness among locals, such as headaches, colds and backaches. Such ailments and illness are protected against and/or typically treated with consumption of OTC healthcare products such as vitamins, health supplements and OTC medicines. This is expected to boost the growth of such OTC healthcare products over the forecast period.

Table of contents

OTC HEALTHCARE IN THAILAND : MARKET INSIGHT

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Growth in OTC healthcare market slows as consumers tighten budgets

Advertising and marketing strategies drive brand sales

Major players gain ground as smaller players face regulatory difficulties

Hospitals a significant distribution channel

Fast-paced and stressful lifestyles increase minor ailments and illness

KEY TRENDS AND DEVELOPMENTS

2008 sees slower growth than 2007

OTC healthcare sees fierce marketing strategies and advertising

Hospitals become another distribution channel competing with retailers

Stressful lifestyles impact OTC healthcare sales

Multinational brands dominate, small brands lose ground

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

Vitamins & Dietary Supplements Registration and Classification

Self-medication and Preventative Medicine

Generics

Switches

Summary 1 OTC Healthcare Switches 2005-2007

DEFINITIONS

Summary 2 Research Sources

LOCAL COMPANY PROFILES - THAILAND

BRITISH DISPENSARY (LP) CO LTD, THE - OTC HEALTHCARE - THAILAND

STRATEGIC DIRECTION

KEY FACTS

Summary 3 The British Dispensary (LP) Co Ltd: Key Facts

COMPANY BACKGROUND

PRODUCTION

COMPETITIVE POSITIONING

Summary 4 The British Dispensary (LP) Co Ltd: Competitive Position 2008

GOVERNMENT PHARMACEUTICAL ORGANIZATION, THE - OTC HEALTHCARE - THAILAND

STRATEGIC DIRECTION

KEY FACTS

Summary 5 The Government Pharmaceutical Organization: Key Facts

COMPANY BACKGROUND

PRODUCTION

COMPETITIVE POSITIONING

Summary 6 The Government Pharmaceutical Organization: Competitive Position 2008

GREATER PHARMA LTD - OTC HEALTHCARE - THAILAND

STRATEGIC DIRECTION

KEY FACTS

Summary 7 Greater Pharma Ltd: Key Facts

Summary 8 Greater Pharma Ltd: Operational Indicators

COMPANY BACKGROUND

PRODUCTION

COMPETITIVE POSITIONING

Summary 9 Greater Pharma Ltd: Competitive Position 2008

THAI NAKORN PATANA CO LTD - OTC HEALTHCARE - THAILAND

STRATEGIC DIRECTION

KEY FACTS

Summary 10 Thai Nakorn Patana Co Ltd: Key Facts

COMPANY BACKGROUND

PRODUCTION

COMPETITIVE POSITIONING

Summary 11 Thai Nakorn Patana Co Ltd: Competitive Position 2008

THAI PHARMED 1942 CO LTD - OTC HEALTHCARE - THAILAND

STRATEGIC DIRECTION

KEY FACTS

Summary 12 Thai Pharmed 1942 Co Ltd: Key Facts

COMPANY BACKGROUND

PRODUCTION

COMPETITIVE POSITIONING

Summary 13 Thai Pharmed 1942 Co Ltd : Competitive Position 2008

ANALGESICS IN THAILAND

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 THAILAND

HEADLINES

TRENDS

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 THAILAND

HEADLINES

TRENDS

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 THAILAND

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 THAILAND

HEADLINES

TRENDS - VITAMINS

TRENDS – DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

PROSPECTS

SECTOR DATA

Table 48 Dietary Supplements: Brand Ranking by Positioning 2008

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 THAILAND

HEADLINES

TRENDS

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 THAILAND

HEADLINES

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 THAILAND

HEADLINES

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 THAILAND

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 THAILAND

HEADLINES

WOUND TREATMENTS IN THAILAND

HEADLINES

SECTOR DATA

Table 86 Sales of Wound Treatments by Subsector: Value 2003-2008

Table 87 Sales of Wound Treatments by Subsector: % Value Growth 2003-2008

Table 88 Wound Treatments Company Shares by Value 2004-2008

Table 89 Wound Treatments Brand Shares by Value 2005-2008

Table 90 Forecast Sales of Wound Treatments by Subsector: Value 2008-2013

Table 91 Forecast Sales of Wound Treatments by Subsector: % Value Growth 2008-2013

OTC OBESITY IN THAILAND

HEADLINES

EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTION IN THAILAND

HEADLINES

SECTOR DATA

Table 92 Sales of Emergency Contraception: Value 2003-2008

Table 93 Sales of Emergency Contraception: % Value Growth 2003-2008

Table 94 Emergency Contraception Company Shares by Value 2004-2008

Table 95 Emergency Contraception Brand Shares by Value 2005-2008

Table 96 Forecast Sales of Emergency Contraception: Value 2008-2013

Table 97 Forecast Sales of Emergency Contraception: % Value Growth 2008-2013

OTC TRIPTANS IN THAILAND

HEADLINES