Cold and Flu Drugs Market Report 2025

The cold and flu drugs market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $17.35 billion in 2024 to $19.01 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.6%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to rising aging population, rising popularity of over-the-counter (OTC) medications, growing urbanization, rising demand for herbal and natural remedies, and increasing healthcare expenditure.

The cold and flu drugs market size is expected to see rapid growth in the next few years. It will grow to $27.88 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing prevalence of seasonal influenza, rise in air pollution contributing to respiratory infections, rise in cases of antibiotic resistance, rising popularity of immunity-boosting supplements, and increasing awareness about self-medication. Major trends in the forecast period include personalized medicine, development of combination products and natural remedies, advancements in nasal sprays and inhalers, strategic collaborations, and development of fast-acting formulations.

The forecast of 10% growth over the next five years reflects a modest reduction of 0.4% from the previous estimate for this market. This reduction is primarily due to the impact of tariffs between the US and other countries. Tariff barriers are expected to hamper U.S. retail pharmacies by increasing the cost of OTC cold and flu medications sourced from India and China, thereby reducing seasonal illness treatment accessibility and elevating consumer healthcare expenses. The effect will also be felt more widely due to reciprocal tariffs and the negative effect on the global economy and trade due to increased trade tensions and restrictions.

The growing frequency of viral infections is expected to drive the expansion of the cold and flu drugs market in the future. A viral infection is caused when viruses invade and multiply within host cells, leading to a variety of symptoms. The rise in viral infections is primarily due to increased travel, which facilitates the spread of viruses across regions and countries, enabling them to reach new populations and cause outbreaks. Cold and flu drugs help manage viral infections by alleviating symptoms such as fever, congestion, and pain, offering relief while the immune system works to fight the virus. For example, in January 2025, the Pan American Health Organization, a U.S.-based agency focused on international health cooperation in the Americas, reported a 22.05% influenza positivity rate globally in early January 2025, marking a 20% seasonal increase. Thus, the rising incidence of viral infections is contributing to the growth of the cold and flu drugs market.

Leading companies in the cold and flu drugs market are focusing on developing innovative products, such as clean over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, to provide safer, natural alternatives for children, free from artificial additives. Over-the-counter (OTC) medicines are drugs that can be purchased without a prescription, commonly used for treating everyday conditions such as headaches, colds, and minor pain. For instance, in September 2023, Genexa Inc., a U.S.-based clean medicine company, launched clean OTC children's medicines, including the Kids' Multi-Symptom Cold & Flu and Kids' Daytime + Nighttime Cough Relief Value Pack. These products feature effective active ingredients without artificial dyes, sweeteners, or preservatives, providing a safer and more natural alternative for treating children's cold and flu symptoms, while offering relief for issues such as fever, sore throat, and congestion.

In February 2023, Vir Biotechnology Inc., a U.S.-based biotechnology firm, formed a partnership with GlaxoSmithKline to develop new therapies for influenza. This collaboration aims to ensure continued access to sotrovimab for authorized patients, while also jointly advancing the development of new treatments for influenza and other respiratory illnesses. Additionally, Vir Biotechnology is pursuing next-generation solutions for COVID-19 and potential future coronavirus outbreaks. GlaxoSmithKline is a U.K.-based biopharma company specializing in over-the-counter (OTC) medications for cold and flu symptoms.

Major players in the cold and flu drugs market are Johnson & Johnson, Roche Holding AG, Bayer AG, Sanofi S.A., Viatris Inc., Reckitt Benckiser Group plc, Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., Perrigo Company plc, Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd., Hikma Pharmaceuticals plc, Lupin Limited, Pyxus International Inc., Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd., The Kroger Co., Saphnix Life Sciences, Arlak Biotech Pvt Ltd, AdvaCare Pharma, Sterling Pharmaceuticals, Biophar Lifesciences Pvt Ltd, Nutra Respiro.

North America was the largest region in the cold and flu drugs market in 2024. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in cold and flu drugs report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa. The countries covered in the cold and flu drugs market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The cold and flu drugs market consist of sales of cough suppressants, nasal sprays, antiviral medications, sore throat sprays, and fever reducers. 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.

Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report’s Recommendations and Conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.

The sudden escalation of U.S. tariffs and the resulting trade tensions in spring 2025 are having a significant impact on the pharmaceutical sector. Companies are grappling with higher costs on imported active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), glass vials, and laboratory equipment - many of which have limited alternative sources. Generic drug manufacturers, already operating with minimal profit margins, are particularly affected, with some scaling back production of low-margin medications. Biotech firms are also experiencing delays in clinical trials due to shortages of specialized reagents linked to tariffs. In response, the industry is shifting API production to regions like India and Europe, building up inventory reserves, and advocating for tariff exemptions on essential medicines.

The cold and flu drugs market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides cold and flu drugs market statistics, including the cold and flu drugs global market size, regional shares, competitors with the cold and flu drugs market share, detailed cold and flu drugs market segments, market trends, and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the cold and flu drugs. This cold and flu drugs 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.

Cold and flu drugs are pharmaceutical medications designed to alleviate symptoms associated with the common cold and influenza (flu). These medications help relieve symptoms such as fever, cough, congestion, sore throat, body aches, and others, improving comfort and supporting recovery.

The main types of cold and flu drugs include antihistamines, expectorants, bronchodilators, decongestants, and other variants. Antihistamines are drugs that block histamine receptors to relieve allergy and cold symptoms such as sneezing, itching, and nasal congestion. These drugs come in various dosage forms, including tablets, capsules, syrups, lozenges, and others. They are used for a range of conditions, including congenital pituitary dwarfism, acquired pituitary dwarfism, genetic syndromes, and other hormonal disorders. These medications are administered to patients across various age groups, including pediatric, adolescent, adult, and geriatric populations. They are used by several end-users, such as hospitals, specialized clinics, homecare settings, pharmaceutical companies, and research institutions.

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.

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