Analgesics in Norway

PROSPECTS

Rise in prescription analgesics impacts growth

Norwegian doctors are increasingly prescribing acetaminophen for their patients, leading to a proportional decline in the usage of OTC acetaminophen in relation to the total usage of acetaminophen. This prevented the higher growth of analgesics, as the demand for OTC acetaminophen was lower than it would have been without the increase in prescriptions.

Topical analgesics/anaesthetic benefiting from rise in muscle and skeletal problems

Muscle and skeletal disorders are very common in Norway while the ageing population is also resulting in a rise in osteoporosis and osteoarthritis, with back pain and neck pain being very common. These ailments, along with shoulder pain, are also often caused by consumers working long and stressful hours at a desk.

Side effects of diclofenac sees consumers switching to acetaminophen

Diclofenac continued to stagnate in current value terms in 2019 with it being negatively impacted by advice from the Norway Medicines Agency which advises to only use a small amount of these products when in a pill form. Studies from Denmark found links between the taking of diclofenac and cardiovascular disease.

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

Well-known products take preference among brand loyal Norwegians

Weifa ASA’s Paracet and Ibux brands, which dominate the acetaminophen and ibuprofen categories respectively, maintained a healthy lead in overall analgesics. Part of the reason behind their dominance is that there is a shortage of generic brands which could compete in the budget segment, as is the case in Sweden.

Weifa maintains lead thanks to its dominance in key categories

Weifa ASA retained its dominance in a relatively consolidated category in 2019. In addition to its leading Paracet and Ibux brands the company also offers the Proxan and Tiger Balsam brands.

GSK sees mixed performance but benefits from growth of topical analgesics/anaesthetic

GSK Consumer Healthcare is Weifa’s only significant competitor in analgesics. The company’s Voltarol brand is the only option available in diclofenac, with this coming in a gel form.

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