Japan Over The Counter (OTC) Drugs Market

Japan Over The Counter (OTC) Drugs Market Overview:

The Japan over the counter (OTC) drugs market size reached USD 10,527.10 Million in 2024. Looking forward, IMARC Group expects the market to reach USD 16,741.44 Million by 2033, exhibiting a growth rate (CAGR) of 5.29% during 2025-2033. Burgeoning aging population, surging health awareness, rising lifestyle diseases, innovation in product formulations, favorable government regulations, the popularity of preventive healthcare, growing e-commerce adoption, and a shift toward natural, organic drug alternatives are factors propelling the market growth.

Japan Over The Counter (OTC) Drugs Market Trends:

Growing Geriatric Population

The aging population significantly influences the OTC drug market, driving the demand for self-care solutions, which is one of the key factors accelerating the Japan over the counter (OTC) drugs market growth. As of September 2024, Japan's elderly population reached a record high of 36.25 million individuals aged 65 or older, accounting for 29.3% of the total population. The elderly demographic, which constitutes a considerable portion of the population, often faces chronic health issues such as hypertension, arthritis, and diabetes. As healthcare costs continue to rise and the availability of in-patient treatments becomes more limited, many seniors are turning to OTC drugs for managing common ailments independently. The shift towards self-medication among older adults is encouraged by the convenience and affordability of OTC products, which allow them to avoid frequent visits to healthcare providers. This trend is further compounded by Japan’s well-established healthcare infrastructure, which supports widespread access to OTC drugs in drugstores and pharmacies.

Increased Health Awareness

Increasing health consciousness among consumers is one of the primary factors fostering the growth of the Japan over the counter (OTC) drugs market share. An increasing number of people are opting for preventative healthcare and seeking to mitigate minor health issues themselves before resorting to medical intervention, which is boosting the market growth. This is further fueled by the escalating awareness of the advantages of staying well via self-care, which encompasses the use of OTC medicines to treat common ailments like colds, digestive problems and minor aches. The Japanese are becoming increasingly cognizant of the likelihood of lifestyle diseases and searching for ways to prevent them. Consumers’ willingness to spend on OTC medications has also been driven by the increased amount of health-related content in the media, the availability of information via digital channels, as well as government health campaigns. This trend of preventative measures has led to a higher demand for several OTC products like vitamins, immunity boosters and skincare treatments which are also driving the market expansion.

Retail Channel Expansion

The expansion of retail channels is a crucial factor driving the market growth. For instance, retail sales in Japan advanced by 3.9% year-on-year in January 2025, marking the 34th consecutive month of growth. The availability of OTC drugs through such a broad network of retail channels has made it easier for consumers to access the products they need without visiting a doctor. Drugstores are among the most popular channels, offering a variety of products that cater to diverse consumer needs, from pain relievers to personal care items. Additionally, the rise of online retail has allowed for greater product selection, better price comparison, and doorstep delivery, further creating a positive Japan over the counter (OTC) drugs market outlook. Moreover, the expansion of distribution channels supports market penetration across different demographics and encourages competition, which drives innovation and improvement in product offerings, which is further stimulating the market growth.

Japan Over The Counter (OTC) Drugs Market Segmentation:

IMARC Group provides an analysis of the key trends in each segment of the market, along with forecasts at the country and region level for 2025-2033. Our report has categorized the market based on product type, route of administration, dosage form, and distribution channel.

Product Type Insights:

• Cough, Cold and Flu Products
• Analgesics
• Dermatology Products
• Gastrointestinal Products
• Vitamins, Minerals and Supplements (VMS)
• Weight-loss/Dietary Products
• Ophthalmic Products
• Sleeping Aids
• Others 

The report has provided a detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the product type. This includes cough, cold and flu products, analgesics, dermatology products, gastrointestinal products, vitamins, minerals and supplements (VMS), weight-loss/dietary products, ophthalmic products, sleeping aids, and others.

Route Of Administration Insights:

• Oral
• Parenteral
• Topical
• Others

A detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the route of administration have also been provided in the report. This includes oral, parenteral, topical, and others.

Dosage Form Insights:

• Tablets and Capsules
• Liquids
• Ointments
• Others 

The report has provided a detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the dosage form. This includes tablets and capsules, liquids, ointments, and others.

Distribution Channel Insights:

• Hospital Pharmacies
• Retail Pharmacies
• Online Pharmacies
• Others

A detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the distribution channel have also been provided in the report. This includes hospital pharmacies, retail pharmacies, online pharmacies, and others.

Regional Insights:

• Kanto Region
• Kansai/Kinki Region
• Central/Chubu Region
• Kyushu-Okinawa Region
• Tohoku Region
• Chugoku Region
• Hokkaido Region
• Shikoku Region

The report has also provided a comprehensive analysis of all the major regional markets, which include Kanto Region, Kansai/Kinki Region, Central/Chubu Region, Kyushu-Okinawa Region, Tohoku Region, Chugoku Region, Hokkaido Region, and Shikoku Region.

Competitive Landscape:

The market research report has also provided a comprehensive analysis of the competitive landscape. Competitive analysis such as market structure, key player positioning, top winning strategies, competitive dashboard, and company evaluation quadrant has been covered in the report. Also, detailed profiles of all major companies have been provided.

Japan Over The Counter (OTC) Drugs Market News:

• In 2024, Kirin Holdings completed the acquisition of supplement maker Fancl, with plans to expand its health science division. The company aims to increase the annual revenue of this unit to approximately USD 2.5 billion, focusing on acquisitions in North America to strengthen its portfolio.
• In 2024, Blackstone agreed to sell Japanese supplement maker Alinamin Pharmaceutical to MBK Partners for USD 2.17 billion. This deal, reported by Nikkei, includes the transfer of Alinamin’s operations, which have expanded under Blackstone's ownership, contributing to significant overseas growth for the company

Japan Over The Counter (OTC) Drugs Market Report Coverage:

Key Questions Answered in This Report:

• How has the Japan over the counter (OTC) drugs market performed so far and how will it perform in the coming years?
• What is the breakup of the Japan over the counter (OTC) drugs market on the basis of product type?
• What is the breakup of the Japan over the counter (OTC) drugs market on the basis of route of administration?
• What is the breakup of the Japan over the counter (OTC) drugs market on the basis of dosage form?
• What is the breakup of the Japan over the counter (OTC) drugs market on the basis of distribution channel?
• What is the breakup of the Japan over the counter (OTC) drugs market on the basis of region?
• What are the various stages in the value chain of the Japan over the counter (OTC) drugs market? 
• What are the key driving factors and challenges in the Japan over the counter (OTC) drugs market?
• What is the structure of the Japan over the counter (OTC) drugs market and who are the key players?
• What is the degree of competition in the Japan over the counter (OTC) drugs market? 

Key Benefits for Stakeholders:

• IMARC’s industry report offers a comprehensive quantitative analysis of various market segments, historical and current market trends, market forecasts, and dynamics of the Japan over the counter (OTC) drugs market from 2019-2033.
• The research report provides the latest information on the market drivers, challenges, and opportunities in the Japan over the counter (OTC) drugs market.
• Porter's five forces analysis assist stakeholders in assessing the impact of new entrants, competitive rivalry, supplier power, buyer power, and the threat of substitution. It helps stakeholders to analyze the level of competition within the Japan over the counter (OTC) drugs industry and its attractiveness.
• Competitive landscape allows stakeholders to understand their competitive environment and provides an insight into the current positions of key players in the market.