Cold, Cough, and Sore Throat Remedies Market Report 2025

The cold, cough, and sore throat remedies market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $45.41 billion in 2024 to $47.85 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.4%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to a rise in seasonal flu cases, increasing air pollution, a growing elderly population, expansion of over-the-counter (OTC) medications, and rising healthcare awareness.

The cold, cough, and sore throat remedies market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $60.05 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.8%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to growing demand for herbal and natural remedies, increasing prevalence of viral infections, rising consumer preference for self-medication, advancements in drug formulation, and expansion of e-pharmacies. Major trends in the forecast period include increasing use of AI in drug discovery, developing innovative formulations, growth of combination therapy products, expansion of personalized medicine, and introduction of novel delivery systems and formulations.

The forecast of 5.8% growth over the next five years reflects a modest reduction of 0.3% from the previous estimate for this market. This reduction is primarily due to the impact of tariffs between the US and other countries. The imposition of tariffs may pose a significant challenge for retail pharmacies by increasing costs of combination cold/cough formulations imported from Canada and Poland, potentially limiting symptom relief options and raising self-care medication costs. 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 prevalence of respiratory infections is expected to drive the expansion of the cold, cough, and sore throat remedies market in the future. Respiratory infections, which are caused by viruses, bacteria, or other pathogens, affect the respiratory system, including the nose, throat, airways, and lungs, leading to symptoms such as coughing, congestion, sore throat, and breathing difficulties. These infections are on the rise, primarily due to increasing air pollution, which weakens the respiratory system and makes individuals more prone to infections. Cold, cough, and sore throat remedies help alleviate symptoms by soothing irritation, relieving congestion, and enhancing the body's natural defenses against pathogens. For example, in November 2023, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a US government agency, reported an increase in illness rates among private industry employers, with 45.2 cases per 10,000 FTE workers in 2022, up from 37.7 cases in 2021. This increase was largely due to a rise in respiratory illnesses, which grew from 27.8 cases per 10,000 FTE workers in 2021 to 35.8 cases in 2022. As a result, the increasing prevalence of respiratory infections is contributing to the growth of the cold, cough, and sore throat remedies market.

Leading companies in the cold, cough, and sore throat remedies market are focusing on developing innovative products, such as clean-label medicines, to meet the increasing demand for safer, chemical-free alternatives, while also improving product effectiveness and consumer trust. Clean cough and cold medicines are formulations that exclude artificial dyes, sweeteners, preservatives, and common allergens, using natural or organic ingredients for safer symptom relief. For example, in September 2023, Genexa Inc., a US-based healthcare company, introduced new clean-label cough and cold medicines for children, including the Kids’ Multi-Symptom Cold and Flu and the Kids’ Daytime + Nighttime Cough Relief Value Pack. These products do not contain artificial dyes, parabens, sweeteners, or allergens, and use organic agave syrup as a natural substitute for artificial fillers. Offering effective relief with the same active ingredients as traditional brands, these clean formulations are available at major retailers such as Walmart, Walgreens, and Amazon. These innovations cater to parents seeking safer and more natural over-the-counter medicine options for their children.

In October 2024, Recordati SpA, an Italy-based pharmaceutical company, acquired the rights to Enjaymo, a treatment for cold agglutinin disease (CAD), from Sanofi for $825 million. With this acquisition, Recordati aims to strengthen its rare disease portfolio, broaden its presence in hematology and immunology, and enhance its global market position by leveraging Enjaymo’s potential for treating cold agglutinin disease (CAD). Sanofi S.A., a France-based company, is known for its production of cold, cough, and sore throat remedies.

Major players in the cold, cough, and sore throat remedies market are Procter & Gamble Co., Johnson & Johnson, Bayer AG, Sanofi S.A., Novartis AG, GlaxoSmithKline plc, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company, Reckitt Benckiser Group plc, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., Cipla Health Ltd., Prestige Brands Holdings Inc., Marksans Pharma Ltd., Weefsel Pharma Pvt. Ltd., Sunwin Healthcare Pvt. Ltd., AdvaCare Pharma USA, Genexa Inc., Himalaya Wellness Company, Benylin, and Medella Softgel Private Limited.

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

The cold, cough, and sore throat remedies market consists of sales of cough syrups, throat sprays, herbal teas, menthol rubs, nasal sprays, pain relievers, and immunity-boosting supplements. 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, cough, and sore throat remedies market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides cold, cough, and sore throat remedies market statistics, including the cold, cough, and sore throat remedies industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with the cold, cough, and sore throat remedies market share, detailed cold, cough, and sore throat remedies market segments, market trends, and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the cold, cough, and sore throat remedies industry. These cold, cough, and sore throat remedies 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, cough, and sore throat remedies encompass medications, natural supplements, and treatments aimed at alleviating symptoms related to respiratory infections, including congestion, coughing, and throat irritation. These remedies often feature lozenges and herbal formulations that help soothe discomfort and support quicker recovery.

The primary drugs used in these remedies include antihistamines, expectorants, bronchodilators, decongestants, antibiotics, and others. Antihistamines work by blocking histamine, a chemical that triggers allergic reactions such as sneezing, itching, and a runny nose. These remedies are available in various dosage forms, including oral syrups, tablets and pills, nasal drops, lozenges, and more. They are used for multiple applications such as cold symptom relief, cough suppression, throat pain relief, allergy relief, sinus pressure relief, and general immune support. Distribution channels include hospital pharmacies, retail pharmacies, drug stores, supermarkets and hypermarkets, as well as e-commerce and online pharmacies.

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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