Product Code: SR112025A5189
The global over the counter (OTC) drugs market size was valued at USD 178.00 Billion in 2024. Looking forward, IMARC Group estimates the market to reach USD 288.29 Billion by 2033, exhibiting a CAGR of 5.23% from 2025-2033. North America currently dominates the over the counter (OTC) drugs market share at 42.2% in 2024. The market in the region is driven by strong consumer preference for self-medication, high healthcare expenditures, widespread retail availability, and favorable regulatory support for non-prescription medications.
Over the counter (OTC) drugs, also known as non-prescription drugs, can be used without a prescription or the need for seeking treatment by a healthcare professional. They are safe and effective and help cure pain, cough and cold, diarrhea, constipation, acne and manage recurring migraines and allergies. They are currently available in pharmacies, convenience stores, supermarkets and gas stations across the globe.
Over The Counter (OTC) Drugs Market Trends:
The increasing utilization of OTC drugs to treat minor ailments among individuals represents one of the key factors bolstering the market growth. Besides this, OTC medications, such as antacids, histamine-2 (H2) blockers, and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), are used to relieve and prevent heartburn or acid indigestion. In addition, due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, there is a rise in awareness among individuals about the importance of self-care. This, in turn, is increasing the sales of nutritional supplements and strengthening the market growth. Moreover, key players are expanding their product portfolio to widen their consumer base and increase their geographical presence. This, coupled with the increasing approvals from regulatory bodies for switching prescription drugs to OTC drugs, is positively influencing the market. Apart from this, there is currently an increase in the number of people opting for OTC drugs rather than consulting physicians on account of increasing healthcare costs. Furthermore, self-medication practices can assist in controlling chronic diseases, reducing absenteeism from work, and saving scarce medical resources from being exhausted during minor conditions. Some of the other factors, such as the rising geriatric population worldwide, rapid expansion of distribution channels, and significant growth in the pharmaceutical industry, are driving the overall sales and profitability.
Key Market Segmentation:
Breakup by Product Type:
- Cough, Cold and Flu Products
- Analgesics
- Dermatology Products
- Gastrointestinal Products
- Vitamins, Minerals and Supplements (VMS)
- Weight-loss/Dietary Products
- Ophthalmic Products
- Sleeping Aids
- Others
Breakup by Route of Administration:
- Oral
- Parenteral
- Topical
- Others
Breakup by Dosage Form:
- Tablets and Capsules
- Liquids
- Ointments
- Others
Breakup by Distribution Channel:
- Hospital Pharmacies
- Retail Pharmacies
- Online Pharmacies
- Others
Breakup by Region:
- North America
- United States
- Canada
- Asia-Pacific
- China
- Japan
- India
- South Korea
- Australia
- Indonesia
- Others
- Europe
- Germany
- France
- United Kingdom
- Italy
- Spain
- Russia
- Others
- Latin America
- Brazil
- Mexico
- Others
- Middle East and Africa
Competitive Landscape:
The competitive landscape of the industry has also been examined along with the profiles of the key players being Alkem Laboratories Limited, Bayer AG, Daiichi Sankyo Company Limited, Dr. Reddy's Laboratories Ltd., GlaxoSmithKline plc, Johnson & Johnson, Novartis AG, Perrigo Company plc, Pfizer Inc., Piramal Enterprises Ltd., Reckitt Benckiser Group PLC, Sanofi S.A., Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. and Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.
Key Questions Answered in This Report
- 1.How big is the over the counter (OTC) drugs market?
- 2.What is the future outlook of the over the counter (OTC) drugs market?
- 3.What are the key factors driving the over the counter (OTC) drugs market?
- 4.Which region accounts for the largest over the counter (OTC) drugs market share?
- 5.Which are the leading companies in the global over the counter (OTC) drugs market?
Table of Contents
1 Preface
2 Scope and Methodology
- 2.1 Objectives of the Study
- 2.2 Stakeholders
- 2.3 Data Sources
- 2.3.1 Primary Sources
- 2.3.2 Secondary Sources
- 2.4 Market Estimation
- 2.4.1 Bottom-Up Approach
- 2.4.2 Top-Down Approach
- 2.5 Forecasting Methodology
3 Executive Summary
4 Introduction
- 4.1 Overview
- 4.2 Key Industry Trends
5 Global Over The Counter (OTC) Drugs Market
- 5.1 Market Overview
- 5.2 Market Performance
- 5.3 Impact of COVID-19
- 5.4 Market Forecast
6 Market Breakup by Product Type
- 6.1 Cough, Cold and Flu Products
- 6.1.1 Market Trends
- 6.1.2 Market Forecast
- 6.2 Analgesics
- 6.2.1 Market Trends
- 6.2.2 Market Forecast
- 6.3 Dermatology Products
- 6.3.1 Market Trends
- 6.3.2 Market Forecast
- 6.4 Gastrointestinal Products
- 6.4.1 Market Trends
- 6.4.2 Market Forecast
- 6.5 Vitamins, Minerals and Supplements (VMS)
- 6.5.1 Market Trends
- 6.5.2 Market Forecast
- 6.6 Weight-loss/Dietary Products
- 6.6.1 Market Trends
- 6.6.2 Market Forecast
- 6.7 Ophthalmic Products
- 6.7.1 Market Trends
- 6.7.2 Market Forecast
- 6.8 Sleeping Aids
- 6.8.1 Market Trends
- 6.8.2 Market Forecast
- 6.9 Others
- 6.9.1 Market Trends
- 6.9.2 Market Forecast
7 Market Breakup by Route of Administration
- 7.1 Oral
- 7.1.1 Market Trends
- 7.1.2 Market Forecast
- 7.2 Parenteral
- 7.2.1 Market Trends
- 7.2.2 Market Forecast
- 7.3 Topical
- 7.3.1 Market Trends
- 7.3.2 Market Forecast
- 7.4 Others
- 7.4.1 Market Trends
- 7.4.2 Market Forecast
8 Market Breakup by Dosage Form
- 8.1 Tablets and Capsules
- 8.1.1 Market Trends
- 8.1.2 Market Forecast
- 8.2 Liquids
- 8.2.1 Market Trends
- 8.2.2 Market Forecast
- 8.3 Ointments
- 8.3.1 Market Trends
- 8.3.2 Market Forecast
- 8.4 Others
- 8.4.1 Market Trends
- 8.4.2 Market Forecast
9 Market Breakup by Distribution Channel
- 9.1 Hospital Pharmacies
- 9.1.1 Market Trends
- 9.1.2 Market Forecast
- 9.2 Retail Pharmacies
- 9.2.1 Market Trends
- 9.2.2 Market Forecast
- 9.3 Online Pharmacies
- 9.3.1 Market Trends
- 9.3.2 Market Forecast
- 9.4 Others
- 9.4.1 Market Trends
- 9.4.2 Market Forecast
10 Market Breakup by Region
- 10.1 North America
- 10.1.1 United States
- 10.1.1.1 Market Trends
- 10.1.1.2 Market Forecast
- 10.1.2 Canada
- 10.1.2.1 Market Trends
- 10.1.2.2 Market Forecast
- 10.2 Asia-Pacific
- 10.2.1 China
- 10.2.1.1 Market Trends
- 10.2.1.2 Market Forecast
- 10.2.2 Japan
- 10.2.2.1 Market Trends
- 10.2.2.2 Market Forecast
- 10.2.3 India
- 10.2.3.1 Market Trends
- 10.2.3.2 Market Forecast
- 10.2.4 South Korea
- 10.2.4.1 Market Trends
- 10.2.4.2 Market Forecast
- 10.2.5 Australia
- 10.2.5.1 Market Trends
- 10.2.5.2 Market Forecast
- 10.2.6 Indonesia
- 10.2.6.1 Market Trends
- 10.2.6.2 Market Forecast
- 10.2.7 Others
- 10.2.7.1 Market Trends
- 10.2.7.2 Market Forecast
- 10.3 Europe
- 10.3.1 Germany
- 10.3.1.1 Market Trends
- 10.3.1.2 Market Forecast
- 10.3.2 France
- 10.3.2.1 Market Trends
- 10.3.2.2 Market Forecast
- 10.3.3 United Kingdom
- 10.3.3.1 Market Trends
- 10.3.3.2 Market Forecast
- 10.3.4 Italy
- 10.3.4.1 Market Trends
- 10.3.4.2 Market Forecast
- 10.3.5 Spain
- 10.3.5.1 Market Trends
- 10.3.5.2 Market Forecast
- 10.3.6 Russia
- 10.3.6.1 Market Trends
- 10.3.6.2 Market Forecast
- 10.3.7 Others
- 10.3.7.1 Market Trends
- 10.3.7.2 Market Forecast
- 10.4 Latin America
- 10.4.1 Brazil
- 10.4.1.1 Market Trends
- 10.4.1.2 Market Forecast
- 10.4.2 Mexico
- 10.4.2.1 Market Trends
- 10.4.2.2 Market Forecast
- 10.4.3 Others
- 10.4.3.1 Market Trends
- 10.4.3.2 Market Forecast
- 10.5 Middle East and Africa
- 10.5.1 Market Trends
- 10.5.2 Market Breakup by Country
- 10.5.3 Market Forecast
11 SWOT Analysis
- 11.1 Overview
- 11.2 Strengths
- 11.3 Weaknesses
- 11.4 Opportunities
- 11.5 Threats
12 Value Chain Analysis
13 Porters Five Forces Analysis
- 13.1 Overview
- 13.2 Bargaining Power of Buyers
- 13.3 Bargaining Power of Suppliers
- 13.4 Degree of Competition
- 13.5 Threat of New Entrants
- 13.6 Threat of Substitutes
14 Price Analysis
15 Competitive Landscape
- 15.1 Market Structure
- 15.2 Key Players
- 15.3 Profiles of Key Players
- 15.3.1 Alkem Laboratories Limited
- 15.3.1.1 Company Overview
- 15.3.1.2 Product Portfolio
- 15.3.1.3 Financials
- 15.3.1.4 SWOT Analysis
- 15.3.2 Bayer AG
- 15.3.2.1 Company Overview
- 15.3.2.2 Product Portfolio
- 15.3.2.3 Financials
- 15.3.2.4 SWOT Analysis
- 15.3.3 Daiichi Sankyo Company Limited
- 15.3.3.1 Company Overview
- 15.3.3.2 Product Portfolio
- 15.3.3.3 Financials
- 15.3.3.4 SWOT Analysis
- 15.3.4 Dr. Reddy's Laboratories Ltd.
- 15.3.4.1 Company Overview
- 15.3.4.2 Product Portfolio
- 15.3.4.3 Financials
- 15.3.4.4 SWOT Analysis
- 15.3.5 GlaxoSmithKline plc
- 15.3.5.1 Company Overview
- 15.3.5.2 Product Portfolio
- 15.3.5.3 Financials
- 15.3.5.4 SWOT Analysis
- 15.3.6 Johnson & Johnson
- 15.3.6.1 Company Overview
- 15.3.6.2 Product Portfolio
- 15.3.6.3 Financials
- 15.3.6.4 SWOT Analysis
- 15.3.7 Novartis AG
- 15.3.7.1 Company Overview
- 15.3.7.2 Product Portfolio
- 15.3.7.3 Financials
- 15.3.7.4 SWOT Analysis
- 15.3.8 Perrigo Company plc
- 15.3.8.1 Company Overview
- 15.3.8.2 Product Portfolio
- 15.3.8.3 Financials
- 15.3.8.4 SWOT Analysis
- 15.3.9 Pfizer Inc.
- 15.3.9.1 Company Overview
- 15.3.9.2 Product Portfolio
- 15.3.9.3 Financials
- 15.3.9.4 SWOT Analysis
- 15.3.10 Piramal Enterprises Ltd.
- 15.3.10.1 Company Overview
- 15.3.10.2 Product Portfolio
- 15.3.10.3 Financials
- 15.3.11 Reckitt Benckiser Group PLC
- 15.3.11.1 Company Overview
- 15.3.11.2 Product Portfolio
- 15.3.11.3 Financials
- 15.3.11.4 SWOT Analysis
- 15.3.12 Sanofi S.A.
- 15.3.12.1 Company Overview
- 15.3.12.2 Product Portfolio
- 15.3.12.3 Financials
- 15.3.12.4 SWOT Analysis
- 15.3.13 Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.
- 15.3.13.1 Company Overview
- 15.3.13.2 Product Portfolio
- 15.3.13.3 Financials
- 15.3.13.4 SWOT Analysis
- 15.3.14 Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.
- 15.3.14.1 Company Overview
- 15.3.14.2 Product Portfolio
- 15.3.14.3 Financials
- 15.3.14.4 SWOT Analysis