It is no secret that the greatest wealth one can have is their health. Synovate's latest survey on attitudes towards over the counter medications suggests that many of us are more than aware of this. In fact, most people claim to have taken some action in the last 12 months to improve their health. What are they doing, and what part does over the counter medicine play in their self treatment? Synovate sought to find out.

Health - the whole package
"Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity." - World Health Organization, 1948

Synovate surveyed almost 12,000 people from across 17 countries - Australia, Belgium, Chile, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Hungary, Indonesia, Korea, Netherlands, Serbia, Singapore, Spain, Taiwan, UAE, UK, USA - to understand attitudes towards and confidence in purchasing medication over the counter, the belief in the effectiveness of stores' own labels versus branded medications, as well as the influence of doctors and pharmacists. >>MORE

Taking health into hand
Whatever individual evaluation and perception of one's health, it appears that respondents in all markets have a shared desire to improve their health, with 87% claiming to have taken action over the last 12 months to improve it. The top activities cited were eating more fruit and vegetables (61%), regular exercise (37%), taking vitamin supplements (35%), and trying to lose weight (33%). >>MORE

Dosing up
So, what is at the top of our medication shopping lists?

Cough / cold medication (40%) and pain relievers (38%) are the top two medications bought over the counter by people globally in the last six months. As this survey was conducted during what could be considered 'flu season' for many markets, it is perhaps of little surprise. However, at the market level, there are some clear leaders in the purchase of these medications. >>MORE

Battle of the brands: More than just a label?
Branded versus stores' own label? This debate spans industries, not just the over the counter drug market. Not surprisingly, opinions are divided. Overall, 42% of respondents do not perceive stores' own label over the counter products to be as effective as branded products (Spain at 71%, UK and US both 65%). >>MORE

In good hands?
When it comes to our health, we usually seek only what we believe to be the best advice. Does this only come from our doctors, however? Are there other sources of information that we can effectively rely on? >>MORE

OTC meds: As essential as packing your toothbrush?
When travelling for business or pleasure, there are a number of items always on our packing checklists. What about over the counter medications? Synovate asked respondents which over the counter medications they take with them when travelling, and the top three were: >>MORE

Sleep tight?
While physically it might be easy to jump from time zone to time zone, our bodies, and most notably our sleep patterns, take a little longer to adjust. It would make sense then that some, particularly those travelling on business with a limited amount of time in particular market, may consider sleeping pills an integral part of their travel regime so that they can schedule their sleep to be in line with local time. >>MORE

Buying abroad: A foreign experience?
So, are our attitudes towards buying over the counter at home mirrored by our behaviour aboard? It would seem not. While 35% of people globally strongly or somewhat agree that they are comfortable buying OTC medicines abroad, half of Chileans and Germans are uncomfortable buying OTC medications abroad. >>MORE

About the Survey
Numbers of surveyed

AU 417

BE 517

CL 508

FR 506

DE 500

HK 1000

HU 644

IN 1047

KR 1002

NL 1123

RS 600

SG 1002

ES 504

TW 1007

UAE 505

UK 511

USA 507

This Synovate In:fact survey on over the counter products was conducted in December 2009 across 17 markets - Australia, Belgium, Chile, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Hungary, Indonesia, Korea, Netherlands, Serbia, Singapore, Spain, Taiwan, UAE, UK, USA. It covered almost 12,000 respondents and was conducted using online, face to face and telephone research methodologies.