Rx switches among factors that will push China's $32 billion OTC market higher

With vigorous 15% growth over the previous year and a confluence of factors encouraging even greater growth, the Chinese over-the-counter (OTC) medicines market provides ample opportunities for OTC marketers.

An aging population and increasing incidence of several chronic diseases makes several
therapeutic classes appealing for future Rx-to-OTC switches in China, reveals recently published Emerging Markets Rx-to-OTC Switch: Forecasts and Opportunities report published by global consulting and research firm Kline & Co.

Indications such as cholesterol, asthma, osteoporosis, migraine and peptic ulcer are currently excluded from the list of medicines allowed to be approved for OTC status. Driven by the increasing incidence of these chronic diseases the Chinese State Food and Drug Administration (SFDA) is considering including these additional indications before 2015 opening the door for manufacturers to pursue Rx-to-OTC switches in these classes.