Magazine: OTC drug sales are growing dynamically

Retail sales of OTC drugs augmented by 10 percent in the first nine months of 2013 from the same period of 2012 (sales of pharmacies and retail stores combined). Sales in the 33 categories audited by Nielsen valued at HUF 106 billion in the examined period. Among cold remedies sales of both cough and nasal congestion remedies increased by 16 percent, and pain reliever and fever reducer sales were up 13 percent. Four product groups realise more than half of OTC drug sales: vitamins and dietary supplements have a nearly 30 percent share, general pain relievers and fever reducers’ share is 15 percent. Where do consumers gather information about OTC drugs? 24 percent of Hungarians rely on TV ads, 22 percent use the internet and 12 read about them in direct mail or leaflets.