Cough Remedies Market

Market Overview

The global cough remedies market size was valued at USD 7.8 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach  USD 10.9 billion by 2032, registering a CAGR of 3.8% during the forecast period (2024-2032). Some primary factors driving the cough remedies market growth include an increase in the senior population, which is more prone to cough and cold, an increase in vehicular pollution, high demand for over-the-counter medicines, and the expansion of R&D activities. 

Coughing is a frequent reflex response that helps to cleanse the airways of irritants, mucus, and foreign matter. Persistent or severe coughing, on the other hand, can indicate the presence of underlying respiratory disorders such as colds, flu, allergies, asthma, bronchitis, or pneumonia. Cough cures include several pharmaceuticals, over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, and natural treatments to relieve cough symptoms. These therapies are intended to relieve throat irritation, decrease the frequency and severity of coughing, and improve respiratory comfort. 

Furthermore, the rising frequency of various respiratory infections, primarily bacterial, fungal, and viral, will likely drive market expansion in the future. Moreover, the emergence of unknown mutant bacteria capable of causing chest infections or chronic coughs has boosted the demand for research, which is predicted to drive market expansion throughout the forecast period. Investments in developing cough treatments will likely increase in the following years, propelling industry growth. Furthermore, the emergence of drug-resistant strains has created new opportunities for the cough remedy business.

Highlights

• Expectorants influenced the market growth by product type.
• Adults hold a significant market share by age group.
• Online pharmacies generate the highest revenue share through the distribution channel.

Market Dynamics

Global Cough Remedies Market Drivers

Prevalence of Respiratory Infections

Respiratory infections, such as the common cold, influenza (flu), bronchitis, and pneumonia, are important causes of cough symptoms. The high prevalence of respiratory diseases, particularly during the winter months or flu outbreaks, promotes demand for cough medicines. Because these infections are common and spread quickly in communities, people seek over-the-counter drugs and cures to relieve cough symptoms and speed up recovery. According to the NCBI, severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) patients had a significant incidence between weeks 1 and 11 in 2023. However, according to the CDC, weekly hospitalization rates for COVID-19, flu, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) decreased most of January 2024.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the common cold is the largest cause of disease worldwide, with adults getting 2 to 3 colds each year and children getting even more. Every year in the United States, millions contract the common cold, costing billions of dollars in healthcare and missed productivity.

Furthermore, influenza viruses create seasonal flu outbreaks that afflict millions of individuals worldwide every year. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that seasonal influenza causes 3-5 million cases of severe illness and 290,000-650,000 respiratory-related deaths yearly. Pharmaceutical companies frequently initiate marketing campaigns and product promotions during peak cold and flu seasons to capitalize on increased consumer demand for cough medications. Sales of over-the-counter cough syrups, throat lozenges, and other cough medicines increase during these times, indicating the impact of respiratory diseases on market dynamics.

Global Cough Remedies Market Restraints

Preference for Natural and Home Remedies

Some people prefer natural, homeopathic, or herbal cough cures over conventional cough drugs because they are concerned about synthetic ingredients, additives, or side effects. The increased popularity of alternative health products, nutritional supplements, and traditional cures may divert consumer spending away from over-the-counter cough medications, affecting market demand and sales. Manufacturers of traditional cough medicines face competition from alternative therapies and must differentiate their goods to appeal to health-conscious consumers looking for natural alternatives.

Additionally, there is an increased demand for natural and organic cough medicines, such as herbal teas, throat lozenges, and honey-based formulations. Manufacturers react to consumer preferences by creating natural cough medicines free of artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives. For example, Traditional Medicinals, Yogi Tea, and Zarbee's Naturals sell herbal teas and cough syrups touted as natural alternatives to traditional cough treatments.

Furthermore, the availability of online platforms, e-commerce outlets, and health food stores allows people to easily obtain a diverse choice of natural cough cures and herbal supplements. Social media influencers, wellness bloggers, and online communities contribute to promoting natural remedies and sharing personal experiences, which influences customer views and purchasing decisions in the cough remedies industry.

Global Cough Remedies Market Opportunity

Focus on Multisymptom Relief

Many cough sufferers have many symptoms at once, such as sore throat, nasal congestion, and chest congestion. There is an opportunity to create multisymptom cough medicines that treat various respiratory symptoms in a single product. Combinations of cough suppressants, expectorants, analgesics, decongestants, and calming substances can give comprehensive relief and enhance patient outcomes. Multisymptom, cough, and cold/sinus drugs contain phenylephrine. Other drugs in multisymptom formulations are beneficial in alleviating some of the other symptoms.

According to the FDA, if you take an over-the-counter cold and sinus drug that contains phenylephrine, it may also contain additional compounds such as guaifenesin and dextromethorphan, which are beneficial at suppressing cough. Combination medications containing cough suppressants, expectorants, decongestants, and analgesics provide convenience and value to consumers experiencing many symptoms simultaneously. These medications are frequently promoted as "cold and cough" formulations or "multi-action" cures to alleviate various respiratory problems.

Additionally, a study published in the Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics looked at the efficacy and safety of combination cough syrups that contained several active components. Combination treatments combining cough suppressants, expectorants, and decongestants were more successful than single-agent therapy regarding cough severity, mucus clearance, and patient-reported outcomes. Combination cough therapies have synergistic effects and address various parts of cough pathophysiology, improving total symptom alleviation and patient satisfaction. Furthermore, pharmaceutical companies invest in R&D to create new combination cough medicines with improved formulations, dose regimens, and delivery systems. 

Regional Analysis

The global cough remedies market analysis is conducted in North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East and Africa, and Latin America.

North America Dominates the Global Market

North America is the most significant global cough remedies market shareholder and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 3.5% over the forecast period. The North American cough treatments market generated USD 3.4 billion in revenue in 2023. Urbanization, industrialization, and environmental pollution all contribute to respiratory health problems in North America. Poor air quality, allergens, and pollution can worsen respiratory symptoms and increase the need for cough medicines among those affected. Public health campaigns promoting respiratory health, flu prevention, and cough symptom management influence consumer behavior and drive demand for cough medicines. This advertising may encourage people to seek treatment for cough symptoms and utilize cough relief items. 

In addition, in 2023, the United States held a dominant position across North America. Respiratory diseases such as the common cold, flu, allergies, asthma, bronchitis, and COPD are common in the United States. Cough medicines are in high demand due to respiratory infections and their related symptoms. According to data from the US Department of Health and Human Services' Healthy People 2030 effort, around 25 million people in the US suffer from asthma. The demand for cough medications in the United States varies periodically, with sales increasing during the cold and flu season. Winter's frigid temperatures and rise in indoor crowding respiratory diseases, growing demand for cough treatment medicines. 

Europe is anticipated to exhibit a CAGR of 3.9% over the forecast period. Germany has a significant growth potential in the cough remedy market. The demand for cough medicines in Germany may be influenced by demographic variables, including aging and changing living choices. Older persons may need cough medicines to control symptoms from underlying respiratory disorders due to their increased susceptibility to respiratory infections.  Like other developed countries, Germany has a high prevalence of respiratory disorders such as colds, flu, allergies, asthma, bronchitis, and COPD. Cough treatments are in high demand among people suffering from respiratory ailments.

The Asia-Pacific area is seeing tremendous population growth, especially in China, India, and Indonesia. Urbanization and changing lifestyles in these countries increase exposure to environmental contaminants and respiratory illnesses, driving the demand for cough remedies. In 2023, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported that China has over 100 million individuals living with chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD), accounting for over 25% of all COPD cases worldwide.  Pharmaceutical companies are developing in Asia-Pacific by providing new cough remedies and marketing techniques adapted to local preferences and healthcare needs. This expansion helps increase the market in the region. 

Furthermore, Japan has one of the world's most significant proportions of older adults. As people age, their susceptibility to respiratory infections and chronic respiratory problems increases, leading to a greater desire for cough solutions to alleviate symptoms. The country boasts a robust healthcare system with easy access to pharmacies, clinics, and primary care physicians. Cough treatments are widely available in pharmacies and drugstores, increasing demand for these medicines. 

Segmental Analysis

The global cough remedies market is segmented based on product type, age group, and distribution channel.

The market by product type is further segmented into expectorants, antihistamines, bronchodilators, deforestation, and antibiotics.

The expectorants category is predicted to generate the most revenue throughout the forecast period, owing to increased respiratory disorders such as pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary syndrome, and other infectious diseases that can cause lung congestion and coughing in the chest walls. Expectorants are drugs that help to loosen and thin the mucus in the airways, making it more straightforward to cough up and expel from the lungs. They boost respiratory secretions and decrease mucus viscosity, allowing it to move through the air passages more easily. Guaifenesin, which can be found in cough syrups and cold treatments, is a common expectorant. Expectorants are widely used to treat coughs caused by respiratory infections, bronchitis, or diseases with thick or sticky mucus.

Furthermore, dry cough necessitates using expectorants to facilitate its removal from the chest wall, and an increase in dry cough incidences is likely to drive sector growth throughout the projection period.

Antihistamines inhibit the effects of histamine, a substance released during allergic and inflammatory reactions. Antihistamines are typically used to treat allergy symptoms such as sneezing, itching, and nasal congestion; however, certain antihistamines include cough suppressant characteristics. They can assist in alleviating coughing caused by allergic reactions, postnasal drip, or upper respiratory tract discomfort. Cough medicines may contain antihistamines such as diphenhydramine, chlorpheniramine, and cetirizine.

The market can be further bifurcated by age group into Pediatric and adult.

The adult sector is expected to grow at the quickest CAGR during the forecast period, driven by an increase in chronic respiratory diseases in adults requiring cough treatments. Furthermore, developments in cough medicines suitable for adults are projected to increase the demand for cough remedies, allowing the segment to gain traction in the coming years. Adult cough cures treat respiratory symptoms and coughing caused by various health issues affecting people over 18. Adult cough medicines are available in multiple forms, such as cough syrups, lozenges, tablets, and capsules, to accommodate varying preferences and symptom severity. Increased investments in research and development of novel treatments for the treatment of chronic cough in adults aged 65 and older help the category produce more income. 

Cough medications created for pediatric usage are specifically tailored to the needs and concerns of newborns, children, and adolescents. Pediatric cough medicines are sometimes available in child-friendly formulations such as liquid syrups, chewable tablets, or dissolvable strips, making them easier to administer and more appealing to younger patients. These medications may also include age-appropriate dosing instructions and safety advisories to ensure correct use and reduce the possibility of side effects. Pediatric cough medicines may contain safe substances for children, such as lower quantities of active chemicals or natural alternatives to synthetic pharmaceuticals. 

Based on distribution channels, the market is fragmented into Retail Pharmacy, Hospital Pharmacy, and Online Pharmacy.

Hospital pharmacies dominate the global market, and this trend is projected to continue in the future years. Hospital pharmacies are located in healthcare institutions such as hospitals, clinics, and medical centers where patients are treated and cared for. While hospital pharmacies generally dispense prescription pharmaceuticals to inpatients and outpatients under the supervision of healthcare experts, they may also sell a variety of over-the-counter cough treatments for user convenience.

Additionally, the increase is due to an increased number of outpatients and inpatients who prefer to use hospital pharmacies, as well as increased hospital spending on improving cough remedies. Furthermore, the increased acceptance of novel products for research purposes in diagnostic laboratories contributes to the growth of the cough remedy market segment.

Retail pharmacies, which include chain pharmacies, independent pharmacies, and drugstores, are typical brick-and-mortar locations where customers can buy cough medicines over the counter (OTC) without a prescription. These pharmacies often stock cough medicines, such as syrups, lozenges, tablets, and other formulations, displayed on shelves or behind the counter. Retail pharmacies provide easy access to cough medicines for customers who need quick relief from cough symptoms. Depending on their symptoms and preferences, pharmacists and pharmacy personnel may provide advice and recommendations to help customers choose the best cough cure.

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