THURSDAY, March 28, 2024
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Pharmacies in Thailand, Laos, Cambodia see growth in sales of vitamins, food supplements

Pharmacies in Thailand, Laos, Cambodia see growth in sales of vitamins, food supplements

While over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription drugs are key products sold through independent drugstores in Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia, Thai pharmacists rank vitamins and food supplements as being of equal importance as OTC products, according to a st

 

In Vietnam and Cambodia, it is expected that the vitamin and food-supplement category will grow to importance comparable to that in Thailand.
The research company collected information from 762 independent drugstores within the Hypertrade network in the three countries. The objectives of the survey were to address the best-seller categories in 2011, to acquire pharmacists’ forecasts for trends in 2012, and to identify the key success drivers for vitamins and food supplements.
In Thailand, about 72 per cent of drugstores’ sales were OTC products, followed by 9 per cent each for prescription drugs and the vitamin/supplement category. About 6 per cent of sales were for medical equipment and 2 per cent each by skincare and personal-care products.
In Vietnam, about 66 per cent of sales were OTC products, 30 per cent prescription drugs, and 4 per cent vitamins and food supplements. In Cambodia, about 77 per cent of sales at independent drugstores were OTC products, followed by prescription drugs with 18 per cent, 2 per cent for vitamins and supplements, and 1 per cent each for skincare products, personal-care products and cosmetics.
Pharmacists are confident that sales of vitamins and food supplements will see significant growth this year.
The top three factors influencing shopper’s decisions are pharmacists’ advice, brands and advertising, in all three countries. It seems that promotions are not the primary concern for customers once they are confident in brand image or get advice from the pharmacist.
The Community Pharmacy Association of Thailand held its annual seminar event on February 19 at Bitec Bang Na. More than 600 pharmacies were represented, and 60 leading manufacturers of consumer health products were also present. 
During the event, Hypertrade’s Health Focus service had the opportunity to do a quick poll among CPA members. The results are in the box accompanying this story.
 
Key survey findings at CPA seminar
 
Average sales of standalone pharmacies are about Bt200,000 per month per store.
The average traffic at standalone pharmacies is about 2,200 visits per month.
More than 60 per cent of store owners are interested in setting up digital signage at their cashier counters.
More than 75 per cent of pharmacy owners mostly focus on OTC products, food supplements, vitamins and cosmetics.
Source: Health focus
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