Consumer Health in 2025: The big picture
Consumer health is expected to register moderate current value growth in Costa Rica in 2025. While there is deflationary pressure in the economy as a whole, this has not really fed into prices for consumers health products, which are considered expensive, especially compared with neighbouring countries. As such, there is a significant level of illicit products coming in from neighbouring countries. Commonly smuggled products are ibuprofen, diclofenac sodium and vitamins. Local brand Zepol is also often sold through informal channels at reduced prices.
Key trends in 2025
In line with rising health-consciousness, Costa Ricans are becoming more inclined to take preventive steps to improve their physical and mental wellbeing. Along with increasing participation in sports and fitness activities and the adoption of healthier eating habits, one of the most visible manifestations of this trend is growth in the numbers of people regularly consuming dietary supplements in an effort to strengthen their immune systems, guard against specific diseases and boost energy levels. Within this, the demand for probiotics and prebiotics continues to increase, as there is increasing understanding about the importance of a healthy gut microbiome to overall health. Protein is also in high demand and this is benefitting sports nutrition, and in particular sports protein powders, and is leading to a widening of the consumer base beyond fitness enthusiasts. Sports protein powder is also often recommended by nutritionists.
Competitive landscape
Global multinational GlaxoSmithKline de Costa Rica SA continues to hold on to a tight lead in consumer health in 2025. Consumers trust its quality and there is high brand recognition. The company is especially strong in analgesics, where it offers the top three brands that is diclofenac brand Cataflam, topical analgesic Voltaren and paracetamol brand Panadol.
Channel developments
Pharmacies are the main channel for distribution of consumer health products in Costa Rica, accounting for nearly half of value share. There are over 1,000 pharmacies in Costa Rica, making it easy for consumers to find a pharmacy nearby. In addition, a key advantage of pharmacies is that consumers can consult with a pharmacist, if needed. Pharmacies like Fischel, La Bomba, Farma Value also often regular discounts. Health stores are also a sizeable channel and are particularly popular for products as vitamins and dietary supplements, herbal/traditional products, sports nutrition and weight management and wellbeing.
What next for consumer health?
Consumer health will register steady constant value growth over the forecast period. This growth will be supported by rising health consciousness, as well as an increasing willingness to self-medicate. In addition, consumers are becoming more educated about health, with social media playing a part in this and also driving trends.
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Overview:
Understand the latest market trends and future growth opportunities for the Consumer Health industry in Costa Rica with research from Euromonitor International's team of in-country analysts – experts by industry and geographic specialisation.
Key trends are clearly and succinctly summarised alongside the most current research data available. Understand and assess competitive threats and plan corporate strategy with our qualitative analysis, insight and confident growth projections.
Data and analysis in this report provides further detailed coverage dedicated to the following key categories, where applicable:
- Analgesics
- Cough, Cold and Allergy Remedies
- Digestive Remedies
- Dermatologicals
- NRT Smoking Cessation Aids
- Sleep Aids
- Eye Care
- Wound Care
- Vitamins
- Dietary Supplements
- Weight Management
- Sports Nutrition
- Herbal/Traditional Products
- Paediatric Consumer Health
If you're in the Consumer Health industry in Costa Rica, our research will help you to make informed, intelligent decisions; to recognise and profit from opportunity, or to offer resilience amidst market uncertainty.
The Consumer Health in Costa Rica report includes:
- Analysis of key supply-side and demand trends
- Detailed segmentation of international and local products
- Historic volume and value sizes, company and brand market shares
- Five year forecasts of market trends and market growth
- Robust and transparent research methodology, conducted in-country
This report answers:
- What is the market size of Consumer Health in Costa Rica?
- Which are the leading brands in Consumer Health in Costa Rica?
- How are products distributed in Consumer Health in Costa Rica?
- How has the regulatory and operating environment for Consumer Health changed in Costa Rica?
- How are considerations such as stress, self-medication and shifting consumer lifestyles shaping demand for Consumer Health
- How significant are wider health concerns and consumer awareness in determining sales?
- Where is future growth expected to be most dynamic?
Consumer Health in Costa Rica
Consumer Health in 2025: The big picture
Key trends in 2025
Competitive landscape
Channel developments
What next for consumer health?
OTC registration and classification
Vitamins and dietary supplements registration and classification
Self-medication/self-care and preventive medicine
Switches
DISCLAIMER
DEFINITIONS
Analgesics in Costa Rica
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Acetaminophen registers highest value growth
Generics gain most value share
Warehouse clubs gain most value share
Futher healthy growth over forecast period
Increasing demand for more natural offerings
Analgesics increasingly added as functional benefit in wellness products
Cough, Cold and Allergy (Hay Fever) Remedies in Costa Rica
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Combination products register highest value growth
Halls medicated confectionery continues to be very popular
E-commerce gains most value share
Continuing growth over forecast period
Continuing innovation keeps consumers engaged
Increasing demand for a more natural positioning
Dermatologicals in Costa Rica
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Dermatologicals seen as essentials and this continues to support value sales
Bayer continues to have commanding lead
Pharmacies lead distrubtion, though e-commerce gains most value share
Focus on a more natural positioning
Ageing population and climate change support growth
Growing demand for haemorrhoid treatments
Digestive Remedies in Costa Rica
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Continuing demand, as stress and poor nutrition support sales
Generics are popular in digestive remedies
Pharmacies account for most value sales
Consumers will continue to turn to digestive remedies for immediate relief
Continuing innovation keeps consumers engaged, though growing offerings of probiotics in food could have a dampening effect
Blurring of lines between digestive remedies and other consumer health products
Wound Care in Costa Rica
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Sticking plasters/adhesive bandages account for most value sales
3M continues to lead, but BDF has made significant gains over review period
Pharmacies continue to be main distribution channel
Modest growth over forecast period
Increasing offerings targeted at children
Increasing fitness activity supports growth
Sports Nutrition in Costa Rica
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Strong performance in 2025
GNC (Harbin) continues to dominate
Health stores lead distribution
Continuing healthy growth over forecasr period
Sports protein RTD and protein/energy bars register healthy growth, due to their convenience
Pre-workout formulations increasingly popular
Dietary Supplements in Costa Rica
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Healthy value growth in 2025
Harbin (GNC) holds tight lead
Health stores lead distribution
More focus on clean and natural offerings
Interest in probiotics and prebiotics continues
Opportunity for more segmentation
Vitamins in Costa Rica
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Volume decline for vitamins
Harbin (GNC) continues to have commanding lead
Health stores lead distribution
Vitamins return to growth
Increasing segmentation, as well as more focus on clean and natural offerings
Multivitamins register higher volume growth
Weight Management and Wellbeing in Costa Rica
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Marginal value growth, as GLP-1 weight loss injections steal value share
Abbott pips GNC to gain top sport
Pharmacies lead distribution
Focus on innovation over forecast period
Increasing use of influencers for promotion
Growing demand for supplement nutrition drinks with a more natural positioning
Herbal/Traditional Products in Costa Rica
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Continuing heathy value sales
GNC continues to lead
Pharmacies offer the greatest variety
Continuing healthy growth over forecast period
Couugh and cold offerings continue to be popular
Increasing focus on gut health will support herbal/traditional products
Paediatric Consumer Health in Costa Rica
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Increasing demand for a more natural positioning
Sanofi continues to lead, due to its successful Pharmaton brand
Pharmacies dominate distribution
Continuing growth over forecast period
Players focus on increasing palatibility
Paediatric consumer health becomes more customised
The following categories and subcategories are included:
Consumer Health
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- Adult Mouth Care
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- Adult Acetaminophen
- Adult Aspirin
- Adult Combination Products - Analgesics
- Adult Diclofenac
- Adult Dipyrone
- Adult Ibuprofen
- Adult Ketoprofen
- Adult Naproxen
- Adult OTC Triptans
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- Paediatric Acetaminophen
- Paediatric Aspirin
- Paediatric Combination Products - Analgesics
- Paediatric Dipyrone
- Paediatric Ibuprofen
- Paediatric Naproxen
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- Acetaminophen
- Aspirin
- Combination Products - Analgesics
- Diclofenac
- Dipyrone
- Ibuprofen
- Ketoprofen
- Naproxen
- OTC Triptans
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- Topical Analgesics/Anaesthetic
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- Sleep Aids
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- Antihistamines/Allergy Remedies (Systemic)
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- Paediatric Allergy Remedies
- Paediatric Cough/Cold Remedies
- Combination Products - Cough, Cold and Allergy (Hay Fever) Remedies
- Cough Remedies
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- Nasal Sprays
- Oral Decongestants
- Inhalant Decongestants
- Decongestant Rubs
- Nasal Decongestant Drops
- Nasal Decongestant Plasters
- Medicated Confectionery
- Pharyngeal Preparations
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- Medicated Shampoos
- Topical Antifungals
- Vaginal Antifungals
- Hair Loss Treatments
- Nappy (Diaper) Rash Treatments
- Antiparasitics/Lice (Head and Body) Treatments
- Antipruritics
- Cold Sore Treatments
- Haemorrhoid Treatments
- Paediatric Dermatologicals
- Topical Allergy Remedies/Antihistamines
- Topical Germicidals/Antiseptics
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- Paediatric Diarrhoeal Remedies
- Paediatric Indigestion and Heartburn Remedies
- Paediatric Laxatives
- Paediatric Motion Sickness Remedies
- Diarrhoeal Remedies
- IBS Treatments
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- Antacids
- Antiflatulents
- Digestive Enzymes
- H2 Blockers
- Proton Pump Inhibitors
- Laxatives
- Motion Sickness Remedies
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- Emergency Contraception
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- Allergy Eye Care
- Standard Eye Care
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- NRT Gum
- NRT Inhalators
- NRT Lozenges
- NRT Patches
- Other NRT
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- First Aid Kits
- Gauze, Tape and Other Wound Care
- Sticking Plasters/Adhesive Bandages
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- Protein/Energy Bars
- Sports Protein Powder
- Sports Protein RTD
- Sports Non-Protein Products
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- Combination Dietary Supplements
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- Aloe
- Combination Herbal/Traditional Dietary Supplements
- Cranberry
- Echinacea
- Evening Primrose Oil
- Garlic
- Ginkgo Biloba
- Ginseng
- St John's Wort
- Other Herbal/Traditional Dietary Supplements
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- Co-Enzyme Q10
- Combination Non-Herbal/Traditional Dietary Supplements
- Eye Health Supplements
- Fish Oils/Omega Fatty Acids
- Glucosamine
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- Calcium Supplements
- Mineral Supplements
- Probiotic Supplements
- Protein Supplements
- Other Non-Herbal/Traditional Dietary Supplements
- Paediatric Vitamins and Dietary Supplements
- Tonics
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- Multivitamins
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- Vitamin A
- Vitamin B
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin D
- Vitamin E
- Other Single Vitamins
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- Meal Replacement
- OTC Obesity
- Slimming Teas
- Supplement Nutrition Drinks
- Weight Loss Supplements
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- Herbal/Traditional Topical Analgesics
- Herbal/Traditional Sleep Aids
- Herbal/Traditional Cough, Cold and Allergy (Hay Fever) Remedies
- Herbal/Traditional Digestive Remedies
- Herbal/Traditional Dermatologicals
- Herbal/Traditional Paediatric Dietary Supplements
- Herbal/Traditional Dietary Supplements
- Herbal/Traditional Tonics
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- Allergy Eye Care
- Antihistamines/Allergy Remedies (Systemic)
- Paediatric Allergy Remedies
- Topical Allergy Remedies/Antihistamines
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- Paediatric Acetaminophen
- Paediatric Aspirin
- Paediatric Combination Products - Analgesics
- Paediatric Dipyrone
- Paediatric Ibuprofen
- Paediatric Naproxen
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- Paediatric Allergy Remedies
- Paediatric Cough/Cold Remedies
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- Paediatric Diarrhoeal Remedies
- Paediatric Indigestion and Heartburn Remedies
- Paediatric Laxatives
- Paediatric Motion Sickness Remedies
- Paediatric Dermatologicals
- Nappy (Diaper) Rash Treatments
- Paediatric Vitamins and Dietary Supplements
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Consumer Health
It is the aggregation of OTC, Vitamins and Dietary Supplements (VDS), Sports Nutrition, and Weight Management and Wellbeing
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This report originates from Passport, our Consumer Health research and analysis database.
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