Digestive Remedies in South Africa

PROSPECTS

Rise in self-medication continues to benefit antacids

The self-medication trend continues to build in South Africa, with this linked to inadequacies in the public healthcare system and a growing propensity to seek information about ailments and solutions online. In addition, high unemployment and economic uncertainty resulted in many consumers facing increasing job insecurity, resulting in them being unwilling to take time off to visit doctors or while unwell.

Urbanisation, stress and sedentary lifestyles boost incidence of digestive disorders

Economic uncertainty is also benefiting digestive remedies in other ways. With stress levels rising, many are also experiencing a rise in stress-related digestive disorders.

Rise in cases of diarrhoea drives demand for remedies

Diarrhoea remedies is another category to report dynamic double-digit current value growth in 2019. Aside from factors such as poor diet and alcohol consumption there has also been an increase in outbreaks of waterborne diseases which has led to a rise in the number of diarrhoea sufferers.

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

GSK Consumer Healthcare emerges at top following merger

GlaxoSmithKline and Pfizer merged their consumer health businesses globally in 2019 to form a world-leading joint venture, with GlaxoSmithKline as the majority controlling entity. GSK Consumer Healthcare is set to operate over the next three years before being spun off and listed as a separate entity on the London Stock Exchange.

Domestic player Adcock Ingram remains a strong second thanks to wide range and popularity of Citro-Soda

Digestive remedies continues to be led by multinationals such as GlaxoSmithKline, Reckitt Benckiser and Bayer. However, local company Adcock Ingram also holds a significant value share, ranking second behind GlaxoSmithKline thanks to its wide range including diarrhoeal remedies, antacids, digestive enzymes, laxatives and paediatric products.

Price promotions key in wooing cost-conscious consumers

The challenging economic situation in South Africa is putting further pressure on the purchasing power of consumers in all income groups with many increasingly looking for value for money. Retailers are aware of this situation and in order to get customers through the door are offering increasingly aggressive price promotions, with Clicks and Dis-Chem in drugstores/parapharmacies in particular engaging in a price war in 2019.

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