Analgesics in Asia Pacific

Asia Pacific projected to overtake North America as global leader in analgesics sales by 2019

Over the review period 2012-2017, analgesics sales in the world’s largest regional market of North America posted a CAGR of 1% to reach total retail value sales of USD5.9 billion in 2017, while analgesics sales in Asia Pacific posted a CAGR of 4% over 2012-2017 (outpacing the global CAGR of 2%) to reach total retail value sales of USD5.6 billion. While growth in North America is expected to be sluggish over the forecast period 2017-2022, growth in Asia Pacific will continue at a rapid rate, resulting in Asia Pacific overtaking North America by 2019.

Topical analgesics exploding in popularity in China, expected to continue to grow rapidly over the forecast period

Topical analgesics are historically quite popular in the Asia Pacific region and growing very rapidly in China, where category sales posted a CAGR of 7% over 2012-2017 to reach total retail value sales of USD996 million in 2017. Looking ahead, topicals in China are expected to continue to grow at a projected CAGR of 7% to reach estimated sales of USD1.4 billion in 2022, representing absolute value growth of USD385 million. China’s increasingly elderly population reports preferring topical analgesics when treating pains associated with old age such as arthritis.

GSK retains position as regional leader despite push from Hisamitsu Pharma

GlaxoSmithKline ended 2017 with more than 8% of the total market for analgesics across the region, representing a sales CAGR of 9% since 2012 and absolute retail value growth of USD161 million over that time. GSK’s sales were lifted by strong growth of its acetaminophen brand Panadol, as well as the 2014 acquisition of Voltaren and Kaflan from Novartis, both of which have experienced steady positive growth since 2014.

Hisamitsu’s Salonpas remains regional brand leader

Despite the popularity of GSK’s analgesic brands, Hisamitsu’s Salonpas retained its position as the most popular analgesic brand on the market, growing at a historic CAGR of 6% to reach total sales of USD239 million in 2017. Consumers’ familiarity with the Salonpas name and preference for topicals helped push the brand’s growth.