Cough Syrup Market Report by Product Type (Expectorants, Cough Suppressants/Antitussives, Combination Medications), Age Group (Pediatric, Adult), Distribution Channel (Retail Pharmacy, Hospital Pharmacy, Online Pharmacy), and Region 2025-2033

The global cough syrup market size reached USD 6.1 Billion in 2024. Looking forward, the publisher expects the market to reach USD 8.5 Billion by 2033, exhibiting a growth rate (CAGR) of 3.65% during 2025-2033. The increasing occurrence of upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) and other respiratory disorders, along with the easy availability of cough syrups in general stores and pharmacies, is primarily driving the market growth.

Global Cough Syrup Market Trends:

Growing Medical Conditions

The rising prevalence of cold, flu, bronchitis, pertussis, asthma, chronic pulmonary obstructive disease (COPD), and allergies is driving the need for cough syrups. For example, according to an article published by the Economic Times in 2023, around 339 million individuals are affected by asthma globally. Furthermore, the elevating cough cases, owing to the increasing tobacco consumption and unhealthy lifestyles, are also stimulating the market growth. Besides this, as per the World Health Organization (WHO), every year, more than 8 million people die prematurely from tobacco consumption. Among these, 7 million are direct smokers, and 1.7 million are second-hand smokers. Consequently, government and non-government organizations are launching numerous programs and campaigns to generate awareness among the population. For example, in July 2023, the Lung Foundation in Australia launched a chronic cough awareness campaign to raise awareness and support diagnosis in adults and pediatrics. In addition to this, the expanding geriatric population is further contributing to the cough syrup market outlook. For instance, according to the WHO, individuals aged 60 and above were 1 billion in 2020 and are expected to reach 2.1 billion by 2050.

Regulatory Environment by Government Bodies

Regulatory authorities across countries are implementing stringent rules to ensure leading companies of cough syrups comply with high medical standards. In line with this, they are generating awareness among healthcare professionals to develop generic drugs, thereby catalyzing the cough syrup market recent opportunities. For instance, in a letter written to all states and union territories, the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) asked to ensure that cough syrups produced in India are of global standard quality for which a detailed verification should be undertaken. In line with this, he asked for a joint verification drive on propylene glycol (PG) manufacturers, cough syrup manufacturers, and importers to ensure that the raw material utilized or supplied for the manufacturing of cough syrups is as per the global protocol. Additionally, the World Health Organization (WHO) has flagged another cough syrup for the presence of contaminants. The WHO tested a sample from a specific batch of the syrup after it received a report in July 2022 regarding possible contamination. Fourrts Laboratories produced the cough syrup on behalf of another company in India called Dabilife Pharma. These stringent regulations and checks will improve the quality of products, which is expected to propel the cough syrup market revenue in the coming years.

Strategic Alliances

Prominent key players are entering into mergers and acquisitions and are constantly working towards novel product developments that are usually formulated with natural ingredients and herbs with immunity-boosting effects. This, in turn, is driving the market forward. For example, in 2023, GSK plc. signed an acquisition deal with one of the Biotech firms in Canada, Bellus Health, for US$ 2 Billion. This deal was done to strengthen GSK’s clinical pipeline portfolio and market position across the globe. The portfolio also included syrups and other formulations, thereby elevating the cough syrup market share. Similarly, in December 2023, the U.S. FDA issued a complete response letter (CRL) about Merck’s new drug application (NDA) for gefapixant, one of the drugs to treat refractory chronic cough (RCC) in adults. Key players are further introducing cough syrups with natural ingredients to expand their consumer base, which is cough syrup market recent developments. For instance, Vitae Health Innovation launched VITATUSS, a natural syrup formulated with elderberry, thyme, althaea, mallow, and sea buckthorn extract. In line with this, Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. announced the introduction of a formulation in cough management called Chericof 12. The company said this was the first prescription cough syrup across India that offer relief for up to 12 hours.

Global Cough Syrup Market Segmentation:

The publisher provides an analysis of the key trends in each segment of the market, along with forecasts at the global, regional, and country levels for 2025-2033. Our report has categorized the market based on the product type, age group and distribution channel.

Breakup by Product Type:

• Expectorants
• Cough Suppressants/Antitussives
• Combination Medications

Currently, cough suppressants/antitussives account for the majority of the global market share

The report has provided a detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the product type. This includes expectorants, cough suppressants/antitussives, and combination medications. According to the report, cough suppressants/antitussives accounted for the largest market share.

Symptoms related to cold and cough are usually managed by utilizing over the counter (OTC) medicines. Cough suppressants, or antitussive drugs, are medicines that are adopted to control and relieve a cough. While many antitussives are widely accessible OTC, a few antitussives are only available with a prescription. Antitussives are used in various types of formulations, such as capsules, liquids, tablets, and syrups. For example, Dextromethorphan, one of the most widely utilized cough suppressants in the U.S., was compared with codeine, the traditional antitussive in Europe, in a double-blind, crossover trial using both subjective and objective assessment of efficacy in sixteen patients with chronic cough. Dextromethorphan lowered cough intensity more than codeine and was considered the better antitussive by most patients. This, in turn, represents key factors propelling the cough syrup market growth in the segmentation.

Breakup by Age Group:

• Pediatric
• Adult

Adult currently holds the largest market share

The report has provided a detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the age group. This includes pediatric and adult. According to the report, adult accounted for the largest market share.

Adults commonly suffer from chronic and acute cough, owing to unhealthy lifestyles and high exposure to tobacco. For example, as per the study published by the European Respiratory Society in 2020, approximately 10% of the adult population suffers from chronic cough, on account of the impaired quality of life. Consequently, the expanding adult population is escalating the cough syrup market demand, thereby stimulating the adoption of cough remedies.

Breakup by Distribution Channel:

• Retail Pharmacy
• Hospital Pharmacy
• Online Pharmacy

Currently, retail pharmacy exhibits a clear dominance in the market

The report has provided a detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the distribution channel. This includes retail pharmacy, hospital pharmacy, and online pharmacy. According to the report, retail pharmacy accounted for the largest market share.

As per the cough syrup market overview, the easy product availability via distribution channels, such as retail pharmacy, owing to its accessibility and convenience, is bolstering the segmentation growth. For example, according to the Federal Union of German Associations of Pharmacists (ABDA, around 18,068 community pharmacies across Germany cater to medical needs in 2023. In addition to this, the rising number of generic and branded remedy products in retail pharmacy chains, including Walmart Stores Inc. and Walgreens, is further acting as another significant growth-inducing factor. Moreover, the increasing tie-ups of hospitals with these chains are strengthening the cough syrup market recent price.

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

According to the cough syrup market statistics, Asia Pacific exhibits a clear dominance in the market

The market research report has also provided a comprehensive analysis of all the major regional markets, which include North America (the United States and Canada); Asia Pacific (China, Japan, India, South Korea, Australia, Indonesia, and others); Europe (Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, Russia, and others); Latin America (Brazil, Mexico, and others); and the Middle East and Africa. According to the report, Asia Pacific accounted for the largest market share.

The regional market is primarily driven by the numerous partnerships among pharmaceutical companies and government organizations, generally to develop novel generic drugs and generate awareness among individuals and healthcare professionals. Moreover, key players are emphasizing on innovative packaging solutions, which is contributing to the growth of the market. Apart from this, the inflating expenditure capacities of individuals across the region and the elevating focus on preventive healthcare are further validating the cough syrup market forecast. According to a report by the FMCG Gurus, more than 55% of people in the Asia Pacific region have been more conscious about boosting their immunity since the sudden outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Competitive Landscape:

The market research report has provided a comprehensive analysis of the competitive landscape. Detailed profiles of all major companies have also been provided. Some of the key players in the market include:

• Acella Pharmaceuticals LLC
• Bayer AG
• GlaxoSmithKline PLC
• Johnson & Johnson
• Pfizer Inc.
• Prestige Consumer Healthcare Inc.
• Reckitt Benckiser Group PLC
• Sanofi
• Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Limited
• The Procter & Gamble Company

Key Questions Answered in This Report

1.What was the size of the global cough syrup market in 2024?
2.What is the expected growth rate of the global cough syrup market during 2025-2033?
3.What has been the impact of COVID-19 on the global cough syrup market?
4.What are the key factors driving the global cough syrup market?
5.What is the breakup of the global cough syrup market based on the product type?
6.What is the breakup of the global cough syrup market based on the age group?
7.What is the breakup of the global cough syrup market based on the distribution channel?
8.What are the key regions in the global cough syrup market?
9.Who are the key players/companies in the global cough syrup market?