The second half of 2017 saw a significantly higher incidence of cold and flu which helped propel sales of OTC cold and sinus medications, cough syrups, cough drops, and nasal decongestants. The OTC cold and sinus market grew 4.5% from 2016 to 2017, which is nearly three times the growth rate experienced in 2016. Not only was the severity of the cold and flu season greater, but also the actual strains of flu experienced in 2017 mutated from the time the flu vaccines were developed and produced, making flu vaccines only about 15% effective.Continue reading
Tag Archives: Nyquil
Rx-to-OTC Switches Energize Solid OTC Drug Market Growth
Rx-to-OTC switch brands continue to be major game changers within the OTC market, whether promoting strong gains or causing steep declines. Aided by the launch of Rx-to-OTC switch brand Allegra (Sanofi-Aventis) and strong growth of private labels, allergy relief products grew 16.3% in 2011 to become the fastest growing category on the U.S. OTC drug market, according to the Nonprescription Drugs USA 2011 report by international consulting and research firm Kline & Company. The U.S. OTC drug market posted a gain of 2.4% reaching $21.4 billion in 2011 at the manufacturers’ level.