One of the most eagerly anticipated events in the Irish retail calendar, Irish Pharmacy News OTC and Retail Pharmacy Product Awards are the only industry awards that specifically recognises and rewards the companies and their products within the OTC market.
The OTC and Retail Pharmacy Product Awards act as a celebration and showcase of product innovation, marketing and value to its customer. Originally launched in 2008, they are designed to recognise product development and innovation in the pharmacy sector.
OTC Market Overview
Pharmacies remain by far the most important distribution channel for consumer health products in Ireland in value terms in 2023, with supermarkets placing a distant second. Despite increasing competition from other channels, it remains the first choice for most Irish people when buying several product types due to the wide assortments and professional advice available in these types of outlets.
The total value of the Over the Counter (OTC) market in Ireland based on IQVIA’s data for the 12 months, May 2022 to April 2023, was ¤559 million. This market grew by 11.2% (value) & 7.3% (volume) when comparing yearon-year growth.
Ireland General Manager for IQVIA Gwynne Morley notes, “As the world emerges from the pandemic, consumer trends such as rising awareness of the option to selfmedicate and interest in wellness continue to influence the market.”
“While the serious short-term trends still need to be tackled, its crucial to focus on the longer-term established trends that will shape the future of the consumer health market – especially in e-Commerce and digital innovation.
“Currently, established models of commercial viability and brand fit continue to be applied in the consumer health industry, by contrast providers, health plans and other stakeholders are already turning to digital approaches to meet consumers’ evolving needs and expectations, improve patient engagement and experience, and drive loyalty.”
Value of OTC Medicines
Over the following pages, we showcase those products which have been shortlisted as finalists across categories, including Best Beauty Product, Best Product Marketing/Training Campaign, Best Baby Skincare Product, Best SPF/Tanning Product, Best Children and Baby Product, and much more.
As pressure on hospitals and doctors in Ireland grows, so does the emphasis on the pharmacist as the first link in the healthcare chain. Pharmacy services, diagnostic testing and of course over-thecounter medicines and remedies now have a larger role to play than ever before. The pharmacy retail market has never been stronger.
The OTC market is continuously faced with threats from large supermarkets and budget retail
chains. Product knowledge, education and marketing are factors that the retail pharmacist must develop a firm strategy for.
The OTC Awards mark the standards of excellence and investment into product marketing that pharmacists use to add value to their customers.
With outside retailers and the buying power of symbol groups ever on the increase, innovation across the OTC market is crucial. With the rise of the internet as both a reference and shopping tool, consumers are now managing more and more ailments without the help of either doctor or pharmacist. However, the pharmacist does still have a key role to play in helping their customers make informed healthcare decisions.
With a greater emphasis being placed on self-care and selfmedication, so is the emphasis placed on consumers and patients to ensure they select product that are safe and effective for their needs.
All products entered will now be judged by an expert judging panel, which has been drawn from independent and multiple pharmacies across Ireland, during our official judging process. Make sure you catch the April issue of Irish Pharmacy News which will feature all of the winners.
One of the most eagerly anticipated events in the Irish retail calendar, Irish Pharmacy News OTC and Retail Pharmacy Product Awards are the only industry awards that specifically recognises and rewards the companies and their products within the OTC market.
The OTC and Retail Pharmacy Product Awards act as a celebration and showcase of product innovation, marketing and value to its customer. Originally launched in 2008, they are designed to recognise product development and innovation in the pharmacy sector.
OTC Market Overview
Pharmacies remain by far the most important distribution channel for consumer health products in Ireland in value terms in 2023, with supermarkets placing a distant second. Despite increasing competition from other channels, it remains the first choice for most Irish people when buying several product types due to the wide assortments and professional advice available in these types of outlets.
The total value of the Over the Counter (OTC) market in Ireland based on IQVIA’s data for the 12 months, May 2022 to April 2023, was ¤559 million. This market grew by 11.2% (value) & 7.3% (volume) when comparing yearon-year growth.
Ireland General Manager for IQVIA Gwynne Morley notes, “As the world emerges from the pandemic, consumer trends such as rising awareness of the option to selfmedicate and interest in wellness continue to influence the market.”
“While the serious short-term trends still need to be tackled, its crucial to focus on the longer-term established trends that will shape the future of the consumer health market – especially in e-Commerce and digital innovation.
“Currently, established models of commercial viability and brand fit continue to be applied in the consumer health industry, by contrast providers, health plans and other stakeholders are already turning to digital approaches to meet consumers’ evolving needs and expectations, improve patient engagement and experience, and drive loyalty.”
Value of OTC Medicines
Over the following pages, we showcase those products which have been shortlisted as finalists across categories, including Best Beauty Product, Best Product Marketing/Training Campaign, Best Baby Skincare Product, Best SPF/Tanning Product, Best Children and Baby Product, and much more.
As pressure on hospitals and doctors in Ireland grows, so does the emphasis on the pharmacist as the first link in the healthcare chain. Pharmacy services, diagnostic testing and of course over-the counter medicines and remedies now have a larger role to play than ever before. The pharmacy retail market has never been stronger.
The OTC market is continuously faced with threats from large supermarkets and budget retail chains. Product knowledge, education and marketing are factors that the retail pharmacist must develop a firm strategy for.
The OTC Awards mark the standards of excellence and investment into product marketing that pharmacists use to add value to their customers.
With outside retailers and the buying power of symbol groups ever on the increase, innovation across the OTC market is crucial. With the rise of the internet as both a reference and shopping tool, consumers are now managing more and more ailments without the help of either doctor or pharmacist. However, the pharmacist does still have a key role to play in helping their customers make informed healthcare decisions.
With a greater emphasis being placed on self-care and selfmedication, so is the emphasis placed on consumers and patients to ensure they select product that are safe and effective for their needs.
All products entered will now be judged by an expert judging panel, which has been drawn from independent and multiple pharmacies across Ireland, during our official judging process. Make sure you catch the April issue of Irish Pharmacy News which will feature all of the winners.
