This statistic shows the total sales of OTC (over-the-counter) drugs in the United States from 1965 to 2018. For 2018, it is estimated that OTC sales in the United States reached around 35.2 billion U.S. dollars.
Total OTC drug retail sales in the U.S. from 1965 to 2018
(in billion U.S. dollars)
Please note that figures differ depending upon the source and differing definitions as to what constitutes "OTCs." The 1995 sales figure represents a change in the way Nielsen defined an OTC drug and thus shows a greater increase than for other years. The number is more representative of the true OTC drug market as defined by the Food and Drug Administration. The statistic does not include vitamins/minerals/nutritional supplements.
* Excludes Wal-Mart.
** Due to methodology changes, including reporting from Wal-Mart and expanded coverage in club, dollar, and convenience channels, sales figures for 2009 represent a more complete picture of the OTC marketplace versus previous years. 2009 through 2013 totals include U.S. - all outlets (food, drug, mass, select club and dollar store retailers, convenience, and military stores. A few categories include a combination of OTC medicines as well as health-related products which are not classified as drugs by FDA.
*** Due to methodology changes in 2014, sales figures for 2011-2014 have been updated. These figures no longer include several categories included in 2010 and prior, which caused the figures to decrease.
This feature is limited to our corporate solutions.
Please contact us to get started with full access to dossiers, forecasts, studies and international data.
Corporate Account
Statista Accounts:
Access All Statistics. Starting from $708 / Year
Basic Account
Get to know the platform
You only have access to basic statistics.
This statistic is not included in your account!
Premium Account
Your perfect start with Statista
Instant access to 1m statistics
Download in XLS, PDF & PNG format
Detailed references
$59 / Month *
Corporate Account
Full access
Corporate solution including all features.
* All products require an annual contract.
Prices do not include sales tax.
Statistics on "Drug store/pharmacy market in the U.S."
Statista Accounts:
Access All Statistics. Starting from $708 / Year
Learn more about how Statista can support your business.
CHPA. (March 31, 2019). Total OTC drug retail sales in the U.S. from 1965 to 2018 (in billion U.S. dollars) [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved February 19, 2020, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/307237/otc-sales-in-theus/
CHPA. "Total OTC drug retail sales in the U.S. from 1965 to 2018 (in billion U.S. dollars)." Chart. March 31, 2019. Statista. Accessed February 19, 2020. https://www.statista.com/statistics/307237/otc-sales-in-theus/
CHPA. (2019). Total OTC drug retail sales in the U.S. from 1965 to 2018 (in billion U.S. dollars). Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: February 19, 2020. https://www.statista.com/statistics/307237/otc-sales-in-theus/
CHPA. "Total Otc Drug Retail Sales in The U.S. from 1965 to 2018 (in Billion U.S. Dollars)." Statista, Statista Inc., 31 Mar 2019, https://www.statista.com/statistics/307237/otc-sales-in-theus/
CHPA, Total OTC drug retail sales in the U.S. from 1965 to 2018 (in billion U.S. dollars) Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/307237/otc-sales-in-theus/ (last visited February 19, 2020)
We use cookies to personalize contents and ads, offer social media features, and analyze access to our website. In your browser settings you can configure or disable this, respectively, and can delete any already placed cookies. For details, please see your browser’s Help section (by pressing F1). Please see our privacy statement for details about how we use data.
