Over-the-counter drugs, supplements and cosmetics keep pharmacy budgets afloat in 2018 as well, at least partially offsetting the impacts of the narrow belt on public pharmaceutical spending, which continues to cut the turnover of category A ethical products (essential and chronic diseases whose cost is borne by the State) and C 
(to be paid by the citizen but with prescription obligation).
In fact, in 2018 this market, according to the scenario traced by the data of Iqvia, a global provider of information in the health sector, innovative technologies, consultancy and clinical research services, anticipated by a launch by the Radiocor agency of Il Sole 24 Ore, fell by as much as 3.5% compared to 2017, reaching 14.4 billion.
A negative trend that was however balanced by the sale of other products in the so-called "consumer" sector, such as supplements, over-the-counter drugs, creams and cosmetics which reached 10 billion euros, with an increase of 2.1% compared to 2017.
The overall result therefore sees the Italian market of products sold in pharmacies close 2018 with a total turnover of 24.4 billion euros (-1.3% compared to 2017).
Related news: Pharmacies: Iqvia, 2018 market at 24.4 billion (-1.3%)
Iqvia: in 2021 half of the market in the hands of the 33% of chain pharmaciesAnd
ISTAT. Pharmaceutical industry: in December drop in turnover (-13%) and orders (-14.6%)
