Are e-pharmacies naturally making SA's cough, cold and flu remedies market healthier?

Insight Survey’s latest South African Cough, Cold and Flu Remedies Industry Landscape Report 2021, carefully uncovers the global and local cough, cold and flu remedies market (including the impact of Covid-19), based on the latest intelligence and research. It describes the latest global and local market trends, innovation and technology, drivers and challenges, to present an objective insight into the South African cough, cold and flu remedies industry environment and its future.

Globally, the global cough, cold and allergy (hay fever) remedies market was valued at an estimated $30.3bn in 2020, as illustrated in the graph below. The  market is forecast to increase by a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.9%, between 2020 and 2024, to reach approximately$35.4bn by 2024.

Source: GlobeNewswire; graphics by Insight Survey

click to enlarge

In South Africa, the local cough, cold and flu remedies market, which includes antihistamines and allergy remedies, grew significantly at constant prices, increasing by 6.3% year-on-year, in terms of retail value RSP, between 2019 and 2020. Additionally, the local market is forecast to continue to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 4.9%, between 2021 and 2025.

Globally, the e-pharmacy channel of distribution, an internet platform allowing pharmacists to receive online medication orders, which are then dispatched to consumers’ doors, is growing rapidly. These e-pharmacies also allow consumers to search for products by symptoms or ingredient, with products containing natural ingredients continuing to become increasingly popular globally. As a result, major global players are launching new natural cough, cold and flu remedies, including GlaxoSmithKline’s (GSK) Robitussin Naturals and Applied Biological Laboratories’ Biovanta.

In the local market, consumer preference for home delivery and self-medication has resulted in the expansion of existing e-pharamacy services, and the introduction of innovative online delivery platforms. The PharmaGo medicine delivery mobile application, launched in March of 2021, facilitates same-day and next-day delivery of over-the-counter (OTC) medications by leveraging partnerships with 73 pharmacies nationwide. Additionally, Uber Eats and Mr D Food have both expanded their services to offer delivery of OTC medicines, whilst the recent introduction of the new DeliverD service in July 2021, by JSE-listed Dis-Chem, further demonstrates the viral growth of this trend.

Dis-Chem’s DeliverD service is set to be trialled in selected stores in Johannesburg, as well as other major metropolitan areas, before expanding to other regions aligned with Dis-Chem’s store footprint. This service offers the delivery of 7,000 items within 60 minutes. The items include healthcare, nutrition, beauty, cosmetics and electrical items

Interestingly, there is a continued preference for natural and herbal products themselves. One such example, includes artemisia afra, a herbal ingredient that is experiencing increased popularity, boosted by perceptions of safety, and effectiveness against Covid-19. Additionally, the Obel Respiclear Decongestant Range has been introduced by Acdoco SA. This range is a  nature-inspired and steroid-free and contains essential oils such as menthol, camphor, and eucalyptus, amongst others and offers anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory effects.

The South African Cough, Cold and Flu Remedies Industry Landscape Report 2021 (100 pages) provides a dynamic synthesis of industry research, examining the local and global cough, cold and flu remedies industry (including the impact of Covid-19) from a uniquely holistic perspective, with detailed insights into the entire value chain – key global and South African market trends, innovation and technology, drivers, and challenges, as well as manufacturer, distributor, retail and pricing analysis.

How is Covid-19 boosting SA's cough, cold and flu remedies market?

Insight Survey  22 Jun 2020

Some key questions the report will help you to answer:

• What are the key market dynamics of the global and South African cough, cold and flu remedies industry?
• What are the latest global and South African cough, cold and flu remedies industry trends, innovation and technology, drivers and challenges?
• What are the market value and volume trends in the South African cough, cold and flu remedies industry (2015-2020) and forecasts (2021-2025), including the impact of Covid-19?
• Who are the key manufacturers, distributors and retail pharmacy players in the South African cough, cold and flu remedies industry?
• What are the prices of popular OTC cough, cold and flu remedy brands/products across SA’s retail pharmacies?

Please note that the 100-page report is available for purchase for R30,000 (excluding VAT). Alternatively, individual sections can be purchased for R12,500 (excluding VAT). For additional information, contact us at az.oc.yevrusthgisni@ofni or directly on (021) 045-0202 or (010) 140- 5756.

For a full brochure please go to: SA Cough, Cold and Flu Remedies Industry Landscape Brochure 2021

About Insight Survey:

Insight Survey is a South African B2B market research company with more than 15 years of heritage, focusing on business-to-business (B2B) market research to ensure smarter, more profitable business decisions are made with reduced investment risk.

We offer B2B and industry research solutions, to help you to successfully improve or expand your business, enter new markets, launch new products, or better understand your internal or external environment.

Our bespoke Competitive Business Intelligence Research can help give you the edge in a global marketplace, empowering your business to overcome industry challenges quickly and effectively, and enabling you to realise your potential and achieve your vision.

From strategic overviews of your business’s competitive environment, through to specific competitor profiles, our customised Competitive Intelligence Research is designed to meet your unique needs.

For more information, go to www.insightsurvey.co.za.