Private Labels Eat Away at $4.5 Billion Cough, Cold, Allergy, and Sinus Market

New York, June 30, 2005 — The U.S. market for over-the-counter cough, cold, allergy, and sinus medications slid almost 4% in 2004 to just under $4.5 billion, according to a new report released today from Kalorama Information. The penetration of lower-priced, private label products continues to put a downward pressure on the overall market, but innovative branded products have expanded opportunities in some areas.

The new study, The U.S. Market for Over-the-Counter Cough, Cold, Allergy, and Sinus Products, predicts only modest growth for many of the individual segments in this market, as even more branded products, such as Allegra and Zyrtec, face private-label competition in the near future, and marketers shift their focus to optimizing formulations and marketing strategies.

“Brand dominance appears to be a thing of the past in this market,” notes Steven Heffner, acquisitions editor for Kalorama Information. “Only three of the top ten brands were able to show growth from 2003 to 2004; the rest declined in sales, and some did so precipitously.”

The study examines six broad categories of products—cold/allergy/sinus medication, cough medication, combination products, other cold/allergy/sinus/cough medication (such as Herbal, Natural And Homeopathic products), nasal products, and chest rubs—and more than ten subcategories, including traditional antihistamines, non-sedating antihistamines, decongestants, expectorants, antitussives, nasal strips, drops, aspirators, mast-cell stabilizers, and more.

In addition to a thorough analysis of the latest retail sales figures, including market share by competitor and brand, the study examines promotional spending and consumer preferences in detail, including demographic profiles of buyers in each segment and subsegment.

The U.S. Market for Over-the-Counter Cough, Cold, Allergy, and Sinus Products can be purchased directly from Kalorama Information by clicking http://www.kaloramainformation.com/pub/1074786.html. It is also available at MarketResearch.com.

About Kalorama Information
Kalorama Information, a division of MarketResearch.com, supplies the latest in independent market research for the life sciences. For more information, contact Steven Heffner at 212-807-2634 or sheffner@kaloramainformation.com, or visit www.KaloramaInformation.com.

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