Throat Lozenges Market Size, Share, and Growth Forecast, 2025 - 2032

Throat Lozenges Market Size and Trend Analysis

The global throat lozenges market size is likely to be valued at US$5.8 Bn in 2025 and is expected to reach US$8.6 Bn by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 5.9% during the forecast period from 2025 to 2032. The market is experiencing robust growth, driven by increasing consumer demand for over-the-counter (OTC) remedies for sore throats, coughs, and throat irritation during the cold and flu seasons.

Key Industry Highlights:

• Leading Region: North America is likely to account for a 35.4% share in 2025, fueled by advanced healthcare infrastructure, high consumer awareness, and widespread availability of throat lozenges in retail and pharmacy chains.
• Fastest-growing Region: Asia Pacific is poised for fast growth, driven by rising healthcare expenditure, increasing prevalence of respiratory issues, and growing demand for OTC remedies in countries such as China and India.
• Investment Plans: Dr. Reddy’s completed a major acquisition of Haleon plc in September 2024, a UK-based consumer healthcare company known for brands like Strepsils and Theraflu, both prominent in throat relief products. This move broadens Dr. Reddy’s OTC and lozenge portfolio and amplifies its global reach.
• Dominant Product Type: Hard candy lozenges are likely to account for 41.8% share, attributed to their long-lasting relief and product stability.

 

Key Insights	Details
Throat Lozenges Market Size (2025E)	US$ 5.8 Bn
Market Value Forecast (2032F)	US$ 8.6 Bn
Projected Growth (CAGR 2025 to 2032)	5.9%
Historical Market Growth (CAGR 2019 to 2024)	4.9%

Market Dynamics

Driver: Rising Prevalence of Respiratory Ailments and Consumer Preference for OTC Solutions

The global throat lozenges market is experiencing significant growth due to the increasing prevalence of respiratory ailments and a growing consumer preference for over-the-counter (OTC) solutions.

Respiratory conditions such as sore throats, coughs, and colds are common, particularly during seasonal changes, with the World Health Organization estimating that acute respiratory infections account for over 4 million deaths annually, driving demand for accessible remedies.

Throat lozenges, offering quick relief through ingredients like menthol, eucalyptus, and honey, are a preferred choice for consumers seeking non-invasive solutions. The CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics (2021 data) reports that approximately 25.7% of U.S. adults have seasonal allergies, while 18.9% of children are affected, further boosting lozenge demand.

Companies like Reckitt Benckiser (Halls) and GlaxoSmithKline (Cepacol) have reported increased sales in OTC lozenges in 2024, driven by consumer trust in branded products. Rising health awareness and the convenience of OTC availability in retail and online pharmacies ensure sustained market growth through 2032.

Restraint: Competition from Alternative Remedies and Ingredient Safety Concerns

The throat lozenges market faces challenges due to competition from alternative remedies and safety concerns over certain ingredients. Cough syrups, gargles, and natural remedies like herbal teas are gaining traction as substitutes, particularly among health-conscious consumers wary of medicated lozenges.

Additionally, safety concerns regarding ingredients like benzocaine, linked to rare cases of methemoglobinemia, have led to regulatory scrutiny in regions like North America and Europe. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued warnings about benzocaine use in children, impacting consumer confidence.

Limited efficacy for severe throat conditions and the rise of natural, non-medicated alternatives further restrain market growth, particularly in cost-sensitive markets, challenging manufacturers to innovate safer, more effective formulations.

Opportunity: Growing Demand for Natural and Functional Lozenges

The increasing focus on health and wellness presents significant opportunities, particularly in the development of natural and functional lozenges. Consumers are increasingly seeking herbal and organic options, such as those containing echinacea, ginger, and liquorice, which are perceived as safer and more holistic.

Additionally, functional lozenges with added vitamins, antioxidants, and probiotics are gaining popularity, especially among younger demographics. Companies like Ricola and Jakemans are innovating with sugar-free and herbal formulations, aligning with wellness trends.

Government initiatives, such as the EU’s focus on preventive healthcare, encourage investments in natural lozenge formulations, creating opportunities for manufacturers to develop innovative, health-focused products to meet evolving consumer demands through 2032.

Category-wise Insights

By Product Type

• Hard candy lozenges are dominant, accounting for 41.8% share in 2025. Their popularity stems from their long dissolution time, which provides prolonged relief for sore throats and coughs, making them a preferred choice for consumers. Their solid structure ensures durability and product stability, appealing to both manufacturers and consumers. Major players like Reckitt Benckiser (Halls) and Mondelez International lead with extensive portfolios, catering to demand in retail and online pharmacies across North America and Europe.
• Non-medicated/functional lozenges are the fastest-growing segment, driven by rising consumer demand for natural and wellness-focused products. These lozenges, often infused with herbal actives or vitamins, appeal to health-conscious consumers seeking preventive care. Brands like Ricola and Jakemans are expanding offerings in sugar-free and organic variants, particularly in the Asia Pacific and Europe, supported by growing awareness of throat health and wellness trends.

By Ingredient Type

• Menthol & eucalyptus hold the largest market share, approximately 28.9% in 2025, due to their effective soothing and cooling properties for throat irritation. Widely used in medicated lozenges, these ingredients provide immediate relief, making them a consumer favorite. Companies like GlaxoSmithKline and Procter & Gamble leverage menthol-based formulations for products like Cepacol and Vicks, catering to demand in North America and the Asia Pacific.
• Herbal actives, including echinacea, ginger, and liquorice, are the fastest-growing segment, driven by consumer preference for natural and organic remedies. These ingredients are perceived as safer and align with the growing wellness trend, particularly among younger demographics. Brands like Ricola and Sanjin Pharmaceutical are expanding herbal lozenge offerings, especially in Europe and the Asia Pacific, where demand for holistic throat care solutions is rising.

By Distribution Channel

• Hospital pharmacies account for 31.8% share in 2025, driven by their reliability and immediate availability of throat lozenges for acute throat infections. Prescriptions during hospital visits, particularly for medicated lozenges, fuel this segment’s dominance. Companies like Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson ensure strong supply chains to hospital pharmacies, especially in North America and Europe, where healthcare infrastructure supports this channel.
• Online pharmacies are the fastest-growing segment, driven by the rise in e-commerce and consumer preference for convenient purchasing options. Digital platforms offer a wide range of lozenge brands and formulations, appealing to tech-savvy consumers. Companies like Reckitt Benckiser and Sun Pharmaceutical are investing in online retail strategies, particularly in the Asia Pacific and North America, where digital sales are transforming impulse-purchase dynamics.

Regional Insights

North America Throat Lozenges Market Trends

North America is a leading region to capture approximately 35.4% share in 2025. This leadership is primarily fueled by the region’s advanced healthcare infrastructure and heightened consumer awareness in both the U.S. and Canada.

The U.S. healthcare system, with expenditures reaching nearly $4.9 trillion in 2023 according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, heavily relies on over-the-counter (OTC) remedies like throat lozenges to manage common seasonal ailments such as colds and sore throats.

Additionally, Canada’s colder climate intensifies demand during flu seasons, further boosting consumption as reported by Health Canada. Industry giants like Reckitt Benckiser and Pfizer maintain strong market dominance through extensive distribution channels that cover both retail outlets and growing online pharmacy platforms.

Furthermore, evolving consumer preferences toward sugar-free and herbal lozenge variants reflect a broader shift toward healthier, natural alternatives, reinforcing North America’s stronghold in the throat lozenges market well into 2032.

Asia Pacific Throat Lozenges Market Trends

Asia Pacific stands out as the fastest-growing market for throat lozenges, driven by rapid urbanization, increasing healthcare expenditure, and a high prevalence of respiratory ailments in key countries like China and India.

China’s ambitious Healthy China 2030 initiative plays a crucial role in expanding access to over-the-counter (OTC) remedies, including throat lozenges, across hospital and retail pharmacies, fueling demand. In India, a burgeoning middle class coupled with growing awareness about throat health has significantly boosted the consumption of affordable lozenge options.

Additionally, the region’s high pollution levels and frequent seasonal infections intensify the need for effective throat relief products. Leading pharmaceutical companies such as Sanjin Pharmaceutical and Sun Pharmaceutical are actively expanding their footprints to meet this surging demand.

Furthermore, the rapid adoption of e-commerce platforms and ongoing government-led healthcare reforms are creating more accessible distribution channels, ensuring sustained growth and strengthening the Asia Pacific’s position as a key market through 2032.

Europe Throat Lozenges Market Trends

Europe ranks as the second fastest-growing market propelled by stringent healthcare regulations, increasing consumer preference for natural remedies, and well-established retail networks, particularly in countries like Germany and France.

The robust European pharmaceutical market underpins strong demand for throat lozenges across pharmacies and drugstores. Germany’s health-conscious population significantly fuels the popularity of herbal and sugar-free lozenges, benefiting key players such as Ricola and Jakemans, who specialize in these categories.

Additionally, the European Union’s strategic focus on preventive healthcare encourages ongoing innovation in functional lozenges that offer enhanced therapeutic benefits beyond traditional formulations. This shift is expanding the reach of throat lozenges through both retail outlets and rapidly growing online sales channels.

Moreover, Europe’s commitment to quality standards and sustainability practices further drives market growth by aligning products with evolving consumer values. These factors collectively position Europe for sustained expansion in the throat lozenges market through 2032.

Competitive Landscape

The global throat lozenges market is highly competitive, characterized by a fragmented landscape with numerous domestic and international players. Leading companies such as Reckitt Benckiser Group plc, Mondelez International Inc., Ricola AG, Procter & Gamble Co., and GlaxoSmithKline plc dominate through extensive product portfolios and global distribution networks.

Regional players like Sanjin Pharmaceutical focus on localized offerings in the Asia Pacific. Companies are investing in innovative formulations, such as sugar-free and herbal lozenges, and expanding online retail presence to enhance market share, driven by demand for convenient and health-focused throat care solutions.

Key Industry Developments:

• January 2024: Cooper Consumer Health has officially completed its acquisition of the Over-the-Counter (OTC) business of Viatris Inc., significantly expanding its footprint in the global consumer healthcare market. The deal, finalized following all necessary regulatory approvals and consultations, strengthens Cooper’s product portfolio, particularly in the throat lozenge segment, and extends its multi-country distribution network across Europe and other key markets.
• March 2023: Taiho Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. launched PITAS Medical Troche, a plum-flavored medicated lozenge in Japan, designed for discreet throat relief, strengthening its position in the Asia Pacific market.

Companies Covered in Throat Lozenges Market

• Reckitt Benckiser Group plc
• Mondelez International Inc.
• Ricola AG
• Procter & Gamble Co.
• Lofthouse of Fleetwood Ltd.
• Pfizer Inc.
• Johnson & Johnson
• GlaxoSmithKline plc
• Sanjin Pharmaceutical
• Jakemans Confectioners
• Sun Pharmaceutical
• Wrigley Company (Mars Inc.)
• Others