Delta and Omicron variants of the coronavirus slowed the global consumer health market's return to normal in 2021. However, the resurgence of the cough and cold category, the continuing popularity of e-commerce and digital health, as well as the increasing appeal of self-care to cash-strapped governments all point to a "stronger and more sustained" bounce-back in 2022, according to IQVIA Consumer Health.
This year will see the international consumer health market emerge swinging from the COVID-19 pandemic, says IQVIA Consumer Health.
Progress had already been made in 2021, with individual markets – especially in the global North – major OTC categories and consumer health firms starting to get back to business
AESGP, MedTech Europe and other associations representing medtech companies including manufacturers of self-care devices call for such products to be included in European Commission proposals for “zero-for-zero” trade in industrial goods between Europe and the US.
Just under half of Austrian pharmacists surveyed by Elpato Medien are “convinced that the OTC business will ensure the survival of their pharmacy.”
An application for melatonin as an OTC medicine is on the agenda for the next German switch committee meeting, despite the hormone being widely available in food supplements. Acyclovir as a buccal tablet and second-generation antihistamine rupatadine are also up for discussion.
