Paediatric Consumer Health in Uruguay

PROSPECTS

Sales of paediatric products are lower than those of products for adults

In Uruguay, adults generally consume OTC products without asking for a doctor’s advice. By contrast, when it comes to children’s pains or illnesses, parents generally ask for a professional’s advice before giving remedies to their children.

Paediatric cough/cold remedies sees high sales

Cough/cold remedies are the most popular products for children, aside from nappy (diaper) rash treatments. This is because children are more likely to get coughs, especially in the winter, and parents take their children to a paediatric physician, who generally recommends a cough/cold remedy.

The inclusion of vitamin D in regular blood tests encourages consumption

Vitamin D was recently included as a standard item to be checked in regular blood tests both for children and adults. This raised vitamin D consumption, as many found the presence of this vitamin in the blood was below the recommended levels; consequently, they were advised to take vitamin D.

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

Paediatric cough, cold and allergy remedies is the most competitive category

Cough, cold and allergy remedies has historically been one of the biggest paediatric OTC categories in Uruguay, and in 2018 it was also one of the most dynamic. Sanofi-Aventis Uruguay was the leading company in 2018, with its brands paediatric Novalgina, an antipyretic and analgesic, and Bisolvon, an expectorant indicated to alleviate coughs.

Very low demand for paediatric vitamins and dietary supplements

The government health authority, the Public Health Ministry, has succeeded in highlighting that essential vitamins are included in generally consumed foods, such as milk and flour. It has also invested in advertising the benefits of healthy nutrition, but it does not invest in marketing the consumption of vitamins.

Bayer and Lukenor exit paediatric vitamins and dietary supplements

Bayer used to be the leading company in paediatric vitamins and dietary supplements, but it decided to discontinue its best-selling paediatric multivitamin, Supradyn Infantil. Similarly, the historically second ranked company Lukenor discontinued its best-selling paediatric brand Qualivits Children's Chewable Multiple Vitamins.

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