Self-diagnosis will be the market of the future
Self-diagnostics will be the growth area in over-the-counter health for the next five years, according to the Mintel market research organisation.
Mintel’s 2007 British Lifestyles survey found that the strongest
growth was in products for minor ailments and self-diagnostics, and that
rising prescription charges were a factor encouraging people to treat
themselves.
Growing self-confidence in health care means that sales of OTC medicines
have risen steadily for the past four years, according to Mintel, but
that self-confidence has also resulted in greater willingness to choose
own-label products rather than branded goods. Mintel believes that this
trend will continue.
The organisation says that the self-diagnostics sector, which once almost
wholly comprised pregnancy test kits and thermometers, has seen rapid
change associated with increasing
awareness and understanding of the risks associated with conditions such
as high blood pressure and obesity. Sales of blood pressure monitors
have doubled since 2002 and are expected to continue to rise.
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