OTCs play a vital role for millions of people in managing their own health, with 96% of the UK population experiencing at least one self-treatable illness every year.
The value of the UK OTC market is not limited to helping individuals treat and manage their symptoms. The OTC sector directly, and indirectly, employs thousands of individuals and contributes billions each year in exports to the UK economy. People’s ability to effectively self-care by using OTCs also improves the health of the labour force, reduces workplace absence and offers a quality of life benefit.
Our 2023 report with Frontier Economics – The Economic Impact of Over-The-Counter Medicines in the UK – outlines new research on the impacts of OTCs in the UK. We have provided a snapshot of some of the key figures below.
