OTC drug consumption drops in recession, report claims

The global recession is causing a substantial proportion of the world's population to cut back on over-the-counter medicines and look for  alternative treatments, including natural remedies. A poll conducted by  market research firm Nielsen, titled the Global On-line Consumer Survey,  took soundings from 25,000 Internet users in 50 countries, with 46%  agreeing with the proposition that economic decline will impact demand  for OTC products.

Generally, poorer countries were more likely to be where willingness to  reduce drug consumption was highest, with China at almost 80% and the  Philippines at about 75%. Nations with higher per capita wealth tended  to be less likely to skip treatments, such as Sweden, the Netherlands,  Denmark and Switzerland.

One difference identified by Jane Sarasohn-Kahn, a health economist  writing on her Health Populi blog, is that European consumers are more  likely than those in the USA to switch from OTC agents to traditional or  natural therapies. She explains that "there is much greater choice in  [US OTC] products, which are also 'open shelved'." This means that  people can shop around for more and find cheaper versions of the same  drug, Ms Sarasohn-Kahn noted.