Saudi Arabia Over The Counter (OTC) Drugs Market

Saudi Arabia Over The Counter (OTC) Drugs Market Overview:

The Saudi Arabia over the counter (OTC) drugs market size reached USD 1,652.01 Million in 2024. Looking forward, IMARC Group expects the market to reach USD 2,618.25 Million by 2033, exhibiting a growth rate (CAGR) of 5.25% during 2025-2033. The market is mainly spurred by rising healthcare awareness, an emerging trend of self-medication, and an increase in chronic diseases. The growth of the market is also supported by the widening retail network, government policies favoring OTC drug sales, and rising disposable incomes.

Saudi Arabia Over The Counter (OTC) Drugs Market Trends:

Rise in Self-Medication and Health Consciousness

The growing trend towards self-medication in Saudi Arabia is a key driver in the OTC drugs market. Most consumers, especially the urban population, are increasingly health-aware and use OTC drugs to treat everyday sicknesses like cold, flu, pain relief, and digestive problems. For instance, a cross-sectional study in Western Saudi Arabia in 2025 surveyed 200 participants on their attitudes and behaviors toward over-the-counter (OTC) medications. Most participants (79.5%) knew about potential drug interactions, and 74% favored stricter OTC sales regulations. This trend is mostly due to increased awareness of healthcare, with the help of different public health campaigns, digital health resources, and information provided through the internet. Saudi nationals are increasingly taking more proactive approaches towards their health, choosing affordable OTC medicines without needing prescriptions, thereby supporting the growth of the OTC sector.

Government Initiatives and Regulatory Support

Regulatory support and government initiatives are key drivers of Saudi Arabia's OTC drugs market growth. The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) has worked at simplifying regulations and enhancing the safety and availability of OTC drugs. For instance, in 2023, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced that the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) has achieved Maturity Level 4 (ML4) for medicines and vaccines regulation. This is the highest level in WHO's classification, indicating advanced performance and continuous improvement. SFDA is the first in the Eastern Mediterranean and the third worldwide to reach ML4 after a WHO benchmarking process. This achievement signifies Saudi Arabia's commitment to ensuring the quality, safety, and efficacy of medical products. With evolving healthcare policies, the government aims to reduce the burden on healthcare facilities and encourage consumers to use safe, effective OTC medications for minor health issues. Moreover, regulations that promote product availability, safety, and quality standards for OTC drugs have contributed to increased consumer trust in these products. As a result, Saudi Arabia’s OTC drugs market is expected to grow steadily as the regulatory environment continues to evolve in favor of consumer health needs.

Saudi Arabia 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/regional levels 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 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

A detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the dosage form have also been provided in the report. 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:

• Northern and Central Region
• Western Region
• Eastern Region
• Southern Region

The report has also provided a comprehensive analysis of all the major regional markets, which include Northern and Central Region, Western Region, Eastern Region, and Southern 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.

Saudi Arabia Over The Counter (OTC) Drugs Market News:

• In February 2025, Sudair Pharma announced the establishment of a new insulin plant in Saudi Arabia's Sudair City, aiming to produce over 15 million insulin pens annually, covering 500,000 patients in its first year. This initiative localizes insulin production, reducing import reliance amid global supply challenges. Supported by government partnerships with Sanofi, Novo Nordisk, and Lifera, the plant aims to meet 85% of Saudi Arabia's SAR1.3 billion annual insulin needs, solidifying the Kingdom's position as a regional pharmaceutical hub.

Saudi Arabia Over The Counter (OTC) Drugs Market Report Coverage:

Key Questions Answered in This Report:

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