Covid-19 prescription: Pharma players shift their focus over the counter

The pandemic pushes pharma companies to look at drugs that held promise in transitioning to over the counter segment

Over-the-counter (OTC) consumer health businesses have been a focus area for pharmaceutical firms in the recent past. 

Last year quite a few prescription (Rx) products switched to the OTC portfolio of leading pharmaceutical firms like Lupin and Cipla. 

Consumer health products do not require a prescription from a doctor and can be purchased over the counter.

With the Covid-19 pandemic raging, analysts expect the focus on OTC brands to continue because visits to doctors are few and far between. 

In its 2019-20 (FY20) annual report, Sun Pharmaceutical Industries (Sun Pharma), one of the top 10 consumer health companies in India, said there was an