France's OTC drug market up 2.7% in 2008

The French over-the-counter pharmaceutical market, despite a slow-down compared with the previous year, has expanded 2.7% in 2008 versus a fall  of 0.3% for all medicines, for a turnover of 1.9 billion euros ($2.39  billion). The French Association for a Responsible Self-Medication  (AFIPA) issued its annual figures, which also reveal that the sector  accounts for 6.3% of all drug sales in France, at an average price per  pack of 4.54 euros. Some OTC products are re-imbursable by the  government's insurance scheme.