Asia

Negative growth in global OTC market sales volume means that “as an industry, we're not doing good enough,” argues Opella’s Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa (AMEA) head, Carol-Ann Stewart, in this exclusive feature interview.

HBW Insight speaks to Opella's Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa (AMEA) head, Carol-Anne Stewart, about the company's China growth strategy in this exclusive interview.

Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare continues to widen access to non-prescription medicines with another Rx-to-OTC switch – Rohto Algard Epinastine Eye Drops – and a direct OTC approval of Sato Pharmaceutical's Menofeminin (black cohosh) menopause treatment.

Thanks to a bureaucracy cutting drive by the Vietnamese government, health businesses operating in the country will benefit from a reduced regulatory burden, accelerated product launches, and lower compliance costs.

Tmall’s business development manager, Aline Hu, and founder of cross-border e-commerce specialist QIVA Global, Ellie Adams, offer advice to multinational consumer healthcare players looking to enter the potentially lucrative and growing Chinese consumer healthcare import market.

Haleon's Asia-Pacific president Keith Choi reveals how the firm is intending to grow its China business in a challenging but potentially extremely lucrative consumer health market.

Opella's Japanese subsidiary, SSP Pharmaceuticals, has had an Rx-to-OTC switch application for ED drug Cialis approved by the national regulator.

Aska Pharmaceutical has recieved a green light from Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare for the Rx-to-OTC switch of its NorLevo (1.5mg levonorgestrel) emergency contraceptive. Controversially, OTC NorLevo will need to be taken on the spot by purchasers in the presence of a pharmacist.

Eisai aims to support people in Japan with severe heartburn and discomfort caused by gastric acid related conditions by switching from prescription to OTC status its Pariet-branded proton pump inhibitor.

TikTok dietary supplement sales in Thailand grew by an astonishing 635% in 2024, while sales via Vietnam's and Malaysia's traditional e-commerce platforms increased by a still impressive 73% and 83% respectively.

Haleon now holds 88% of its China OTC joint venture after acquiring a larger stake in the business from its local partners.

Organizations representing APAC health and medicines regulators and the consumer health industry respectively have agreed to “recognize the importance of self-care as a fundamental pillar of health and wellbeing” and “affirm our dedication to advancing self-care as an essential component of Universal Health Coverage.”

Self-care industry representatives from GSCF/AESGP, Bayer and Opella stress the seriousness of the global climate crisis at the 2024 GSCF, APSMI, TSMIA Joint Congress in Bangkok, Thailand, and also share iniatives that are attempting to deal with this crisis, for example replacing PVC in medicine blister packs with more easily recyclable materials.

GSCF research shows that self-care already saves the Asia Pacific region more than $30bn a year in healthcare system costs. To realize higher gains, health literacy, Rx-to-OTC switch and digitalization need to be leveraged, according to the EU-ASEAN Business Council.

APAC health agencies such as WHO and Thailand's FDA are on board with the self-care agenda, and see it as crucial to achieving universal health coverage.

A round-up of recent consumer health appointments: PharmaSGP names new CEO; Stada appoints Vietnam head; NèreS adds to board.

Haleon highlighted consistent market share gains in China as it reported third-quarter results.

Joint venture business which markets Haleon's OTC drug brands in China will soon be 88% owned by the UK-based firm.

P&G has worked to ‘rebuild’ the SK-II brand in China over the past year with a focus on product quality, efficacy and the line’s core ingredient, as well as improved messaging, and recently launched SK-II's ‘most crafted, exclusive and luxurious skin care series’ to date, CFO Andre Schulten noted at the Barclays Global Consumer Staples Conference.

Laifen, Opalescence Moon, Lewie and quip are among US companies with recent launches to boost their oral care market shares. Recent launch by Arm & Hammer global oral care brand also targets driving growth in the category.