Cough and Cold Preparations Global Market Report 2024

The cough and cold preparations market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $80.96 billion in 2023 to $85.36 billion in 2024 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.4%. Historical growth can be attributed to several factors, including the increased prevalence of respiratory diseases, higher rates of tobacco smoking, global warming, robust economic growth in emerging markets, and an upsurge in healthcare expenditure.

The cough and cold preparations market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $104.31 billion in 2028 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.1%. Forecasted growth stems from the rise in e-cigarettes/vaping, increasing obesity rates, a sizable undiagnosed population, and government initiatives. Major trends include probiotics for asthma, advanced bronchodilators, new product launches, market collaborations, personalized medicines, aerosol respiratory drugs, generic respiratory drugs, and combination therapy for COPD.

The growth of the cough and cold preparations market is anticipated to be fueled by the rising incidence of allergies in the forecast period. Respiratory allergies, including those triggered by pollen, dust, mold, and pet dander, are on the ascent due to contaminated outdoor and indoor air. Cough and cold preparations are commonly used to address allergies that manifest as coughs and respiratory issues. For example, the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology projects that by 2025, one in every three people in the European Union will be affected by allergies. This surge in respiratory allergies is expected to drive demand for cough and cold preparations, positively influencing market growth.

The growth of the cough and cold preparations market is expected to receive a boost from the increasing geriatric population. The elderly, aged 65 and older, often have weaker immune systems, making them more susceptible to respiratory infections such as coughs and colds. This heightened vulnerability contributes to a greater demand for cough and cold remedies. According to a report by the World Health Organization (WHO) in October 2022, one in six people globally is expected to be 60 or older by 2030. The worldwide population of individuals aged 80 or older is projected to increase by 426 million between 2020 and 2050. This demographic shift toward an aging population is a significant driver of the growth in the cough and cold preparations market.

Advancements in technologies are playing a pivotal role in shaping the global pharmaceutical sector, and this impact extends to cold and cough preparations. As outlined in a global life sciences report by Deloitte, various cutting-edge technologies are driving the life sciences sector, including the pharmaceutical domain. Some of these transformative technologies include AI, robotic automation, the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT), blockchain, DIY diagnostics, virtual care, mobility in drug delivery and clinical trials, genomics, next-generation therapies, cloud computing, Real-World Evidence (RWE), and data-driven precision medicine. AI technology is being harnessed for diagnoses, treatment planning, patient monitoring, and drug discovery. The IoMT is facilitating the emergence of new business models and enhancing customer experiences. Biomarkers, which are biological indicators objectively measured and evaluated for various processes, are increasingly being utilized in the drug development process to expedite product launches.

Major companies in the cough and cold preparations market are responding to these technological advancements by developing new products, such as herbal cough syrups, to cater to larger customer bases, drive more sales, and increase revenue. Herbal cough syrups are liquid formulations made from natural or plant-based ingredients, typically incorporating herbs, botanical extracts, and other organic compounds. These products aim to alleviate symptoms of coughs and colds. For example, Dexa Medica, an Indonesia-based pharmaceutical company, launched Herbacough in May 2021. Herbacough is a herbal cough syrup known for its unique qualities, including the absence of side effects or addictive tendencies. Positioned as an effective treatment for various types of coughs, Herbacough boasts benefits such as soothing sore throats, easing breathing, warming the respiratory tract, and relieving different forms of coughs. The product employs the latest fractionation technology, an extraction method isolating a specific active substance, reconyl, making it a safe and efficient remedy for cough and sore throat issues.

The cold and cough preparations market is subject to regulatory oversight by authorities, such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States. An example of regulatory action is the FDA's restriction on the use of codeine in children. Codeine, although approved for pain and cough treatment, poses serious risks, including the potential for slowed or difficult breathing, and can be fatal. The FDA has recognized a higher risk of these adverse effects in children under the age of 12, leading to restrictions on the use of codeine even in some older children. Single-ingredient codeine is FDA-approved solely for use in adults. Additionally, the FDA recommends against the use of codeine in breastfeeding mothers due to the potential harm it may pose to their infants. This regulatory intervention reflects a commitment to ensuring the safety of pharmaceutical products, especially those intended for vulnerable populations such as children and breastfeeding mothers.

Major companies operating in the cough and cold preparations market report are Johnson & Johnson, GlaxoSmithKline PLC, Procter & Gamble, Bayer AG, Reckitt Benckiser Group PLC, Novartis AG, Perrigo Company, Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., Prestige Consumer Healthcare, Blackmores Limited, AFT Pharmaceuticals, Dexa Medica, Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Limited, Wockhardt Ltd., Apnar Pharma LP, Hanmi Pharmaceutical, Cipla Limited, Aurobindo Pharma Limited, KYORIN Holdings, Inc., Nichi-Iko Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. , China National Pharmaceutical Group Co., Ltd., Shanghai Anovent Pharma, Shanghai Acebright Pharmaceuticals Group Co., Ltd., China Meheco Group Co., Ltd. , Merck & Co, Abbott Laboratories, Boehringer Ingelheim, Roche Holding AG, Vectura Group, Pfizer, Mylan, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., Sanofi, W. K. Buckley Limited, BENYLIN, Sanfer, PROBIOMED, PiSA, EMS Pharma, Hypermarcas, Ache, Eurofarma, Biolab Farmaceuticad, Cristalia, Libbs, AstraZeneca, Neopharma, Regal Pharmaceuticals, Adcock Ingram, Aspen Pharmacare


North America was the largest region in the cold and cough preparation market share in 2023. Middle East is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the global cough and cold preparations market during the forecast period. The regions covered in the cough and cold preparations market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the cough and cold preparations market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Italy, Canada, Spain.

Primary drug categories in cold and cough preparations consist of antihistamines, expectorants, bronchodilators, decongestants, antibiotics, and other similar treatments. Antihistamines mitigate histamine's effects and are commonly used to address allergies. Varieties include bronchodilators, anticholinergic, and pulmonary antihypertensives. These medications are available in various forms such as oral syrups, tablets, nasal drops, lozenges, and others. Distribution occurs through hospital pharmacies, retail pharmacies, drug stores, and similar channels.

The cold and cough preparations market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides cold and cough preparations market statistics, including cold and cough preparations industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a cold and cough preparations market share, detailed cold and cough preparations market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the cold and cough preparations industry. This cold and cough preparations market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenarios of the industry.

The cold and cough preparations market consists of sales of dextromethorphan, guaifenesin, and phenylephrine. Values in this market are factory gate values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD, unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.