Category · consumer health

Analgesics, OTC

Pharmacy-only premium tier is holding firm. Mass-market promo intensity is creeping up after a quiet 2024.

Country outlooks

Q1 2026
OTC analgesics in the United Kingdom
Both UK-listed consumer health majors reported Q1 2026 in late April. Reckitt Core LFL grew 1.3% (3.1% excluding seasonal OTC), with Emerging Markets +7.6% and FY guidance maintained at 4 to 5%. Haleon group organic grew 2.2% with Pain Relief essentially flat at -0.3% on £654m. A soft cold and flu season was the common drag. Reckitt's recovery thesis rests on Mucinex 12-hour innovation in North America and seasonal mean-reversion in H2 2026. The UK pharmacy-channel structure (Boots and independents) remains the distinct competitive context.

Earnings analysis
Haleon Q1 2026: Pain Relief flat at -0.3% on £654m, Oral Health the standout
Haleon Q1 2026 group organic revenue growth was 2.2%. Pain Relief came in essentially flat at -0.3% organic on £654m. Within Pain, Advil outperformed in North America driven by the No Pain More Gain campaign; Voltaren and Panadol grew in select geographies. Oral Health was the group-level standout. FY outlook reaffirmed.
Haleon IR (Q1 2026 trading statement) · 2w ago
Earnings analysis
Reckitt Q1 2026: Core LFL +1.3% as soft cold and flu season drags, FY guidance maintained
Reckitt held Q1 2026 trading update on April 22, 2026 with Core LFL net revenue growth of 1.3% (3.1% excluding seasonal OTC). Emerging Markets grew 7.6% LFL to £1,087m. Mead Johnson Nutrition fell 2.7% LFL. FY 2026 guidance reaffirmed at 4 to 5% Core LFL. £1 billion share buyback continues with £669m completed by April 17.
Reckitt IR (Q1 2026 trading update) · 3w ago

Analgesics, OTC weekly

Every Tuesday morning. The week's signals, outlooks, and opinion pieces tagged analgesics, otc.