Analgesics continue to be the most popular OTC products sold in Brazil, expected to account for around 40% of overall retail value sales of OTC products in 2024. According to Euromonitor’s Voice of the Consumer: Health and Nutrition Survey, fielded January to February 2024, 39% of Brazilians use OTC products to treat health issues, second only to the use of prescription/Rx drugs (45%). The willingness to consume OTC products means that analgesics has maintained a consistent growth trajectory ove

In 2024, analgesics in India is expected to experience high single-digit retail current value growth, driven by the increasing prevalence of lifestyle-related ailments. With more individuals working extended hours, often on digital devices, issues such as neck, back, and joint pain are becoming commonplace. The shift towards sedentary desk jobs has significantly contributed to muscle strain and posture-related discomfort, further elevating the demand for effective pain relief solutions. Accordin

Demand for systemic analgesics continued to normalise in Singapore in 2024 following the surge in purchases seen in 2022. During the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic and its aftermath, consumers stockpiled these products to self-medicate for post-vaccination symptoms and common cold symptoms caused by later variants of the virus. With the threat of COVID-19 having largely been mitigated, the urgency to purchase systemic analgesics has decreased, leading to a stabilisation in the growth rate.

Analgesics in Austria recorded strong single-digit retail value growth in 2024. Sales were driven by consumers increasing willingness to manage their healthcare needs. Busier and more stressful lifestyles and the continuously increasing popularity of physical activities are creating an increase in ailments and aches. With a higher level of self-reliance, more consumers opt to self-medicate for minor to moderate pain, choosing OTC products above prescription medications. Further driving this tren

Analgesics in Germany is experiencing moderate positive growth in current value terms in 2024. Challenging economic and social issues tend to increase demand for effective pain management solutions. German consumers are also increasingly willing to invest in more advanced analgesic formats that promise faster relief while minimising the risks associated with self-medication. In addition, the category's expansion is being influenced by price increases due to higher distribution and production cos

The market for analgesics in Indonesia is poised for continued healthy growth in current value terms in 2024, as these medications remain a popular choice for everyday health issues like fever and minor aches. A key factor driving the accessibility of analgesics is the prevalence of warungs, small local shops that are ubiquitous throughout Indonesia. These establishments provide convenient access to a variety of health products, including analgesics, making it easy for everyday consumers to obta

In 2024, Romania’s analgesics market is expected to maintain a robust performance in current value terms, with ibuprofen continuing to dominate sales. Renowned for its effectiveness in alleviating various types of pain - including arthritis, injuries, and menstrual discomfort- ibuprofen has shown consistently strong growth. Although the market has gradually moved away from pandemic-induced spikes in demand, the versatile applications of ibuprofen, combined with its widespread accessibility, have

Analgesics continues to be a significant category in consumer health in Cameroon in 2024. Acetaminophen (paracetamol) in particular has become a staple product in households in the country, due to its versatility in dealing with headaches and fever, coupled with its affordability and limited side effects. Ibuprofen and diclofenac, while not as strongly performing as acetaminophen (paracetamol), are also purchased by some local consumers. On the other hand, local consumers tend to avoid aspirin a

Analgesics in North Macedonia has performed well in 2024, with growth in total current value sales remaining robust and most categories expanding in retail volume terms. Buoyant demand continues to be underpinned by the fact that Macedonians are increasingly confident about self-medicating for mild-to-moderate pain and fever. Moreover, the easing of inflationary pressures has seen many consumers become more inclined to stock up on these items, as opposed to only buying them when they are require

Analgesics in Poland is expected to register healthy constant value growth. With the economy improving, there is expected to be less of a degree of trading down and this is expected to boost value growth. That being said, analgesics is a mature product area, with consumer demand remaining stable. Consumers trust these well-known brands to deliver high-quality ingredients and the performance they want.

Analgesics are typically purchased without a prescription in Tunisia although they are exclusively sold in the pharmacy channel. Indeed, pharmacies state that over 80% of customers buy pain relief products without a prescription from a doctor. The desire to self-medicate is a key driver of sales with many consumers buying analgesics to treat common ailments like headaches. In accordance with this trend, pharmaceutical companies focus their marketing efforts on the pharmacy channel. In-store post

In 2024, analgesics are set to record positive retail value growth, while value growth is only set to be positive for topical analgesics/anaesthetic. Aligned with the health and wellness lifestyle trend, more people in Turkey are engaging in outdoor activities. Following the outbreak of COVID-19, many consumers in Turkey have a heightened interest in health. In addition to nutrition, this includes exercise and sporting activities. A more proactive stance regarding self-care and preventative meas

Analgesics remains the second biggest category in OTC in Ukraine and the third in consumer health overall in current value terms. Analgesics, which mostly carry an OTC status, including dipyrone, are popular for alleviating different types of pain, reducing body temperature (eg ibuprofen and acetaminophen) and for thinning the blood in senior consumers in the case of aspirin. Volume sales of analgesics were hard hit following Russia's invasion of Ukraine after which millions of consumers fled th

In analgesics, manufacturers are employing various strategies to tackle inflationary pressures in Kenya and maintain retail value share. Beta Healthcare International has introduced Hedex Extra, a stronger yet affordable painkiller specifically formulated for the Kenyan market. This player has also leveraged targeted marketing to compete with international brands like GSK Consumer Healthcare’s Panadol. Beta Healthcare’s marketing tactics include using simple, relatable messaging to target middle

Analgesics reported dynamic growth in constant value terms over 2024 due to further price increases. Consumption of adult analgesics has stabilised following a period of fluctuation over the review period, with sales peaking during the cold and flu season. Consumers are more accustomed to buying analgesics since the pandemic, when these products were used to treat symptoms of COVID-19. However, due to its maturity volume growth is somewhat limited and this is exacerbated by the lack of novelty o

Analgesics is expected to register double-digit current value growth in Pakistan in 2024, though constant value growth is expected to be muted, as inflation remains high. Acetaminophen continues to account for most value sales, with ibuprofen in second position, though acetaminophen is expected to register higher volume growth in 2024. Any growth there is labelling supported by population growth, as well as high levels of self-medication, as the public health system struggles to meet its populat

The full return to normality following the COVID-19 pandemic results is driving further growth of analgesics in Slovenia in 2024. The category also received an additional boost due to rising prices as a result of lingering inflation. Several key factors continue to contribute to the stable consumer demand for analgesics, including the continued expansion of labour-intensive industries (mainly construction), the more intense fever season compared to 2023, and the growth of sports and leisure acti

Analgesics is a key product area within consumer health in Sweden, accounting for over one-fifth of overall OTC value sales in 2024. The category witnessed moderate current value growth in 2024 as concerns regarding the economy abated and inflation decreased significantly. The consumption of analgesics has returned to normal levels following the strong growth seen during the pandemic. Retail volume sales of adult analgesics have returned to growth following the declines seen in 2023.

The market for analgesics in Taiwan is projected to continue growing in current value terms in 2024, with topical analgesics leading the way. These products present several advantages over oral pain relievers, including ease of use and the absence of a prescription requirement. Additionally, they offer localised relief while minimising the risk of systemic side effects, making them particularly appealing to the ageing population, who are more prone to issues such as arthritis and musculoskeletal

Analgesics will continue to register a positive performance in current value terms in Switzerland in 2024, driven largely by a notable rise in respiratory illnesses. This resurgence is partly due to reduced immunity as a result of lower viral transmission rates during the COVID-19 pandemic. With the increase in colds and flu, the use of analgesics for symptom relief, such as body aches and fever reduction, is growing. Adult acetaminophen is leading growth in category, driven by its widespread us

Although one of the fastest-growing landscapes for retail value sales, analgesics recorded a decline in retail volume sales in 2023, which is predicted for 2024. In 2021, around 100 million units of analgesics were sold in the OTC retail market; however, in 2024, this number is decreasing to approximately 67 million units.

Value sales of analgesics in South Africa continue to rise strongly in 2024, mainly driven by adult combination products for perceived higher effectiveness (benefiting leading brands such as Grand-Pa from GSK Consumer Healthcare and Adco-dol from Adcock Ingram Holdings Ltd), and adult acetaminophen (dominated by Panado from Adcock Ingram Holdings Ltd), which can target a wide range of symptoms and ailments. Albeit from a low sales base, demand for topical analgesics/anaesthetic also continues to

Analgesics is set to see current value growth in Norway in 2024. The consumption of painkillers/analgesics is expected to increase during the year, following a corrective decline in 2023. The two previous years had seen booming growth, following the “return to normal” after the COVID-19 crisis. Demographic factors, primarily an ageing population, combined with lifestyle habits, such as an increase screen exposure, sedentary lifestyles, and work pressure/stress are driving the increase in demand

Demand for analgesics in Slovakia is expected to stabilise in 2024, following the sharp drop in retail volume across most subcategories in 2023. This contraction was driven in part by significant stockpiling of OTC analgesics at the end of 2022/early-2023, particularly in the paediatric segment, due to widespread shortages. Media coverage of the shortages, especially of key brands like Panadol and Nurofen, led to panic buying, exacerbating the problem. Many Slovaks bought large quantities of the