Common Cold Global Market Report 2025

The common cold is a prevalent, self-limiting viral infection that mainly impacts the upper respiratory tract, including areas such as the nose, throat, and sinuses, and is predominantly triggered by rhinoviruses. It presents with symptoms like nasal congestion or discharge, sore throat, sneezing, cough, and mild fatigue, and is typically transmitted via airborne droplets or through contact with infected surfaces.

There are several key drug categories used to treat the common cold, including antihistamines, expectorants, bronchodilators, decongestants, antibiotics, and others. Antihistamines function by blocking histamine, a chemical released during allergic reactions or colds, thereby easing symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, and watery eyes. These medications are available in various forms, such as oral syrups, tablets or pills, nasal drops, among others, and are distributed through hospital pharmacies, independent pharmacies, online pharmacies, and other outlets.

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 sudden escalation of U.S. tariffs and the consequent trade frictions in spring 2025 are severely impacting the healthcare sector, particularly in the supply of critical medical devices, diagnostic equipment, and pharmaceuticals. Hospitals and healthcare providers are facing higher costs for imported surgical instruments, imaging equipment, and consumables such as syringes and catheters, many of which have limited domestic alternatives. These increased costs are straining healthcare budgets, leading some providers to delay equipment upgrades or pass on expenses to patients. Additionally, tariffs on raw materials and components are disrupting the production of essential drugs and devices, causing supply chain bottlenecks. In response, the industry is diversifying sourcing strategies, boosting local manufacturing where possible, and advocating for tariff exemptions on life-saving medical products.

The common cold market research report is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company that provides common cold market statistics, including common cold industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a common cold market share, detailed common cold market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the common cold industry. This common cold market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.

The common cold market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $25.22 billion in 2024 to $26.89 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.6%. The expansion seen during the historical period was driven by an increase in viral infections, a rise in self-medication behavior, greater availability of over-the-counter (OTC) cold products, heightened awareness of cold symptoms and management options, and the widespread use of traditional herbal remedies.

The common cold market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $34.30 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.3%. Forecasted growth is expected to be fueled by increasing consumer interest in clean-label and natural cold medications, a growing number of children needing safe treatment options, rising use of e-commerce platforms for OTC product purchases, greater emphasis on preventive healthcare, and expanding research and development investments aimed at discovering new cold remedies. Notable trends anticipated in this period include innovations in clean-label and organic formulations, improved pediatric cold therapies, the emergence of combination treatments for immune support, enhanced nasal spray and inhaler delivery methods, and the use of AI to assist in diagnosing symptoms.

The increasing prevalence of seasonal flu is expected to propel the growth of the common cold market going forward. Seasonal flu refers to a recurring respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that spread annually, especially in colder months, resulting to symptoms such as fever, cough, and body aches. The increasing prevalence of seasonal flu can be partly attributed to reduced vaccination coverage, as fewer individuals receiving the flu vaccine each year results to lower community immunity and greater chances for the virus to spread widely. Common cold drugs can help manage seasonal flu symptoms by relieving issues such as cough, congestion, and sore throat, providing comfort while the body fights off the virus. For instance, in December 2024, according to the National Health Service, a UK-based government department, an average of 1,099 people were hospitalized with the flu each day, compared to just 243 during 2023, marking the highest number of cases entering the winter season in at least three years. Therefore, the rising prevalence of seasonal flu is driving the growth of the common cold market.

Leading companies in the common cold market are prioritizing the creation of new solutions, such as over-the-counter syrups, to cater to increasing consumer interest in natural, safer, and effective options. These OTC syrups are liquid medications that do not require prescriptions and are used to alleviate symptoms like cough, cold, and fever. For example, in September 2023, Genexa, a pharmaceutical firm based in the US, introduced a range of clean OTC cough and cold products for children ahead of flu season. These medicines utilize reliable active ingredients such as dextromethorphan, guaifenesin, and acetaminophen to ease symptoms including cough, congestion, fever, and sore throat. They are formulated without artificial dyes, sweeteners, parabens, and phenylephrine, and include flavors like organic agave and blueberry. The daytime version is designed to be non-drowsy, while the nighttime version offers up to 8 hours of relief and includes an antihistamine. These products are sold at major retail outlets and represent a cleaner, safer choice for pediatric cold treatment.

In December 2024, Novo Holdings A/S, an asset management firm based in Denmark, acquired Catalent, Inc. in a strategic move aimed at expanding pharmaceutical innovation. Through this acquisition, Novo Holdings intends to support the growth of an established life sciences company, drive innovation in pharmaceutical production, and enhance the supply and development of improved therapies for patients. This initiative also aims to resolve drug supply issues for high-demand medications like Ozempic and Wegovy. Catalent Inc., a US-based contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO), provides products and services in the OTC space, including treatments for cough, common cold, and allergies.

Major players in the common cold market are Pfizer Inc., Procter & Gamble Health Limited, Bayer Aktiengesellschaft, Sanofi S.A., Novartis AG, GlaxoSmithKline plc, Reckitt Benckiser Group plc, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Limited, Haleon plc, Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Limited, Perrigo Company plc, Dr. Reddy's Laboratories Limited, Cipla Limited, Amneal Pharmaceuticals Inc., Lupin Limited, Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Limited, Torrent Pharmaceuticals Limited, The Himalaya Drug Company, Cadila Healthcare Limited, Gnova Biotech Limited.

North America was the largest region in the common cold market in 2024. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in common cold report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa.

The countries covered in the common cold market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The common cold market consists of sales of decongestants, herbal and natural remedies, throat lozenges and sprays, pain relievers, and hydration and electrolyte solutions. 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 and 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.

Common Cold 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 common cold 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.

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Where is the largest and fastest growing market for common cold ? How does the market relate to the overall economy, demography and other similar markets? What forces will shape the market going forward, including technological disruption, regulatory shifts, and changing consumer preferences? The common cold 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 market characteristics section of the report defines and explains the market.
• The market size section gives the market size ($b) covering both the historic growth of the market, and forecasting its development.
• The forecasts are made after considering the major factors currently impacting the market. These include:

The forecasts are made after considering the major factors currently impacting the market. These include the technological advancements such as AI and automation, Russia-Ukraine war, trade tariffs (government-imposed import/export duties), elevated inflation and interest rates.

• Market segmentations break down the market into sub markets.
• The regional and country breakdowns section gives an analysis of the market in each geography and the size of the market by geography and compares their historic and forecast growth.
• The competitive landscape chapter gives a description of the competitive nature of the market, market shares, and a description of the leading companies. Key financial deals which have shaped the market in recent years are identified.
• The trends and strategies section analyses the shape of the market as it emerges from the crisis and suggests how companies can grow as the market recovers.

Scope

• Markets Covered:1) By Drug Class: Antihistamines; Expectorants; Bronchodilators; Decongestants; Antibiotics; Other Drugs Class
• 2) By Doses: Oral Syrups; Tablets Or Pills; Nasal Drops; Other Doses
• 3) By Distribution: Hospital Pharmacies; Independent Pharmacies; Online Pharmacies; Other Distribution Channels
• Subsegments:
• 1) By Antihistamines: First-Generation Antihistamines; Second-Generation Antihistamines
• 2) By Expectorants: Guaifenesin-Based Expectorants; Natural Or Herbal Expectorants
• 3) By Bronchodilators: Short-Acting Beta-Agonists; Anticholinergic Bronchodilators
• 4) By Decongestants: Oral Decongestants; Nasal Spray Decongestants
• 5) By Antibiotics: Penicillins; Macrolides; Cephalosporins
• 6) By Other Drugs Class: Antipyretics Or Analgesics; Cough Suppressants; Zinc Supplements And Vitamin C Preparations; Combination Cold Remedies
• Companies Mentioned: Pfizer Inc.; Procter & Gamble Health Limited; Bayer Aktiengesellschaft; Sanofi S.A.; Novartis AG; GlaxoSmithKline plc; Reckitt Benckiser Group plc; Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Limited; Haleon plc; Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Limited; Perrigo Company plc; Dr. Reddy's Laboratories Limited; Cipla Limited; Amneal Pharmaceuticals Inc.; Lupin Limited; Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Limited; Torrent Pharmaceuticals Limited; The Himalaya Drug Company; Cadila Healthcare Limited; Gnova Biotech Limited
• Countries: Australia; Brazil; China; France; Germany; India; Indonesia; Japan; Russia; South Korea; UK; USA; Canada; Italy; Spain.
• Regions: Asia-Pacific; Western Europe; Eastern Europe; North America; South America; Middle East; Africa
• Time Series: Five years historic and ten years forecast.
• Data: Ratios of market size and growth to related markets, GDP proportions, expenditure per capita,
• Data Segmentations: country and regional historic and forecast data, market share of competitors, market segments.
• Sourcing and Referencing: Data and analysis throughout the report is sourced using end notes.
• Delivery Format: PDF, Word and Excel Data Dashboard.