PUBLISHER: The Business Research Company | PRODUCT CODE: 1750943
PUBLISHER: The Business Research Company | PRODUCT CODE: 1750943
Cold and flu drugs are pharmaceutical medications designed to alleviate symptoms associated with the common cold and influenza (flu). These medications help relieve symptoms such as fever, cough, congestion, sore throat, body aches, and others, improving comfort and supporting recovery.
Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report's Recommendations and Conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.
The main types of cold and flu drugs include antihistamines, expectorants, bronchodilators, decongestants, and other variants. Antihistamines are drugs that block histamine receptors to relieve allergy and cold symptoms such as sneezing, itching, and nasal congestion. These drugs come in various dosage forms, including tablets, capsules, syrups, lozenges, and others. They are used for a range of conditions, including congenital pituitary dwarfism, acquired pituitary dwarfism, genetic syndromes, and other hormonal disorders. These medications are administered to patients across various age groups, including pediatric, adolescent, adult, and geriatric populations. They are used by several end-users, such as hospitals, specialized clinics, homecare settings, pharmaceutical companies, and research institutions.
The cold and flu drugs market research report is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company that provides cold and flu drugs market statistics, including the cold and flu drugs global market size, regional shares, competitors with the cold and flu drugs market share, detailed cold and flu drugs market segments, market trends, and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the cold and flu drugs. This cold and flu drugs market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenarios of the industry.
The cold and flu drugs market size has grown rapidly in recent years. It will grow from $17.35 billion in 2024 to $19.19 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.6%. The growth observed during the historic period can be attributed to the increasing aging population, the growing popularity of over-the-counter (OTC) medications, expanding urbanization, rising demand for herbal and natural remedies, and higher healthcare expenditure.
The cold and flu drugs market size is expected to see rapid growth in the next few years. It will grow to $28.54 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.4%. The growth projected during the forecast period can be attributed to the increasing prevalence of seasonal influenza, the rise in air pollution contributing to respiratory infections, the growing cases of antibiotic resistance, the rising popularity of immunity-boosting supplements, and heightened awareness about self-medication. Key trends during this period include personalized medicine, the development of combination products and natural remedies, advancements in nasal sprays and inhalers, strategic collaborations, and the creation of fast-acting formulations.
The growing frequency of viral infections is expected to drive the expansion of the cold and flu drugs market in the future. A viral infection is caused when viruses invade and multiply within host cells, leading to a variety of symptoms. The rise in viral infections is primarily due to increased travel, which facilitates the spread of viruses across regions and countries, enabling them to reach new populations and cause outbreaks. Cold and flu drugs help manage viral infections by alleviating symptoms such as fever, congestion, and pain, offering relief while the immune system works to fight the virus. For example, in January 2025, the Pan American Health Organization, a U.S.-based agency focused on international health cooperation in the Americas, reported a 22.05% influenza positivity rate globally in early January 2025, marking a 20% seasonal increase. Thus, the rising incidence of viral infections is contributing to the growth of the cold and flu drugs market.
Leading companies in the cold and flu drugs market are focusing on developing innovative products, such as clean over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, to provide safer, natural alternatives for children, free from artificial additives. Over-the-counter (OTC) medicines are drugs that can be purchased without a prescription, commonly used for treating everyday conditions such as headaches, colds, and minor pain. For instance, in September 2023, Genexa Inc., a U.S.-based clean medicine company, launched clean OTC children's medicines, including the Kids' Multi-Symptom Cold & Flu and Kids' Daytime + Nighttime Cough Relief Value Pack. These products feature effective active ingredients without artificial dyes, sweeteners, or preservatives, providing a safer and more natural alternative for treating children's cold and flu symptoms, while offering relief for issues such as fever, sore throat, and congestion.
In February 2023, Vir Biotechnology Inc., a U.S.-based biotechnology firm, formed a partnership with GlaxoSmithKline to develop new therapies for influenza. This collaboration aims to ensure continued access to sotrovimab for authorized patients, while also jointly advancing the development of new treatments for influenza and other respiratory illnesses. Additionally, Vir Biotechnology is pursuing next-generation solutions for COVID-19 and potential future coronavirus outbreaks. GlaxoSmithKline is a U.K.-based biopharma company specializing in over-the-counter (OTC) medications for cold and flu symptoms.
Major players in the cold and flu drugs market are Johnson & Johnson, Roche Holding AG, Bayer AG, Sanofi S.A., Viatris Inc., Reckitt Benckiser Group plc, Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., Perrigo Company plc, Dr. Reddy's Laboratories Ltd., Hikma Pharmaceuticals plc, Lupin Limited, Pyxus International Inc., Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd., The Kroger Co., Saphnix Life Sciences, Arlak Biotech Pvt Ltd, AdvaCare Pharma, Sterling Pharmaceuticals, Biophar Lifesciences Pvt Ltd, Nutra Respiro.
North America was the largest region in the cold and flu drugs market in 2024. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in cold and flu drugs report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa.
The countries covered in the cold and flu drugs market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.
The cold and flu drugs market consist of sales of cough suppressants, nasal sprays, antiviral medications, sore throat sprays, and fever reducers. Values in this market are 'factory gate' values, that is, the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.
The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD, unless otherwise specified).
The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.
Cold And Flu Drugs Global Market Report 2025 from The Business Research Company provides strategists, marketers and senior management with the critical information they need to assess the market.
This report focuses on cold and flu drugs market which is experiencing strong growth. The report gives a guide to the trends which will be shaping the market over the next ten years and beyond.
Where is the largest and fastest growing market for cold and flu drugs ? How does the market relate to the overall economy, demography and other similar markets? What forces will shape the market going forward? The cold and flu drugs market global report from the Business Research Company answers all these questions and many more.
The report covers market characteristics, size and growth, segmentation, regional and country breakdowns, competitive landscape, market shares, trends and strategies for this market. It traces the market's historic and forecast market growth by geography.
The forecasts are made after considering the major factors currently impacting the market. These include the Russia-Ukraine war, rising inflation, higher interest rates, and the legacy of the COVID-19 pandemic.