A highly anticipated event in the Irish retail calendar, the Irish Pharmacy News OTC and Retail Pharmacy Product Awards are the only industry accolades dedicated to recognising and rewarding companies and their products within the OTC market.
These Awards serve as a platform to celebrate and showcase excellence in product innovation, marketing, and customer value. Since their launch in 2008, they have been committed to highlighting advancements and innovation within the pharmacy sector.
Pharmacies are the most important distribution channel for consumer health, offering a trusted, accessible, and professional environment for healthcare products and advice. Unlike other retail outlets, pharmacies provide expert guidance from trained pharmacists, ensuring that consumers make informed decisions about over-the-counter (OTC) medications, vitamins, and wellness products.
They serve as a critical touchpoint for public health, offering personalised recommendations, preventative care, and early intervention for minor ailments.
Additionally, pharmacies maintain strict quality control and regulatory compliance, ensuring the safety and efficacy of the products they distribute. Their accessibility, expertise, and commitment to patient care make them an essential link between healthcare manufacturers and consumers.
OTC Market
According to IQVIA, a leading global provider of clinical research services, commercial insights and healthcare intelligence to the life sciences and healthcare industries, the total value of the OTC market in Ireland based on IQVIA’s data for 12 months, from May 2023 to April 2024, was ¤571 million. This market grew by 2.1% (value) and decreased by 3.1% (volume) when comparing year-on-year growth. This was significantly lower than the forecasted growth as Ireland’s value sales growth for 2023 was expected to be 6%.
The five major OTC categories (including Pain Relief, Cough, Cold and Respiratory products (CCR), Vitamins and Minerals, Digestive Health, and Habit Treatment) account for ¤450 million of the total value. Unlike other markets, Cough, Cold and Respiratory Products (CCR) is the second largest category in the Irish OTC market.
According to General Manager with IQVIA, Gwynne Morley, “The Global OTC market is expected to grow at +6.8% CAGR during the next five years, 2024-2028. It is also forecasted that Europe’s OTC market will grow at 6.1% in 2024. Growth within Ireland’s OTC market is not as optimistic based on the performance of the first half of the year – sales value growth is flat, 0.4% PPG 6-month April 2024.”
Value of OTC Medicines
Over the following pages, we showcase those products that topped the judges scorecards across categories, including Best Beauty Product, Best Marketing/ Training Campaign, Best Baby Skincare Product, Best Sleep/ Stress Product, Best Children and Baby Product, and much more.
The OTC Awards highlight excellence in product innovation and marketing—key factors that help pharmacists enhance customer value. As external retailers and powerful buying groups expand their influence, continuous innovation in the OTC market is essential. With consumers increasingly turning to the internet for health information and online shopping, many are managing ailments without consulting a doctor or pharmacist. However, pharmacists still play a crucial role in guiding customers toward informed and responsible healthcare choices.
See the WINNERs of the Irish Pharmacy News OTC and Retail Pharmacy Product Awards
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