AESGP meeting 2018: Key learnings

OTC INSIGHT Europe Editor Sarah Carter reports back from this year’s 54th AESGP Annual Meeting, which was held in Amsterdam and served as a farewell to Dr Hubertus Cranz, who retired as Director General after 30 years in the role.

Below are 8 key learnings from the meeting:

1. Representatives from Pfizer and Hexal / Sandoz demonstrated how Rx-to-OTC switch can act as a growth driver for the consumer healthcare industry, with Nexium Control (EU Centralised Switch) and MometaHexal (Germany) given as case studies. Both asserted that the Rx heritage of the brands was instrumental in their successful switch, with both market leaders in their respective Rx spheres.
2. However, while switch offers growth opportunities, several speakers stressed that the limited 1-year data exclusivity available with a switched product in the EU can deter marketers from making the timely and costly investment needed to switch their product.
3. Digitalisation has transformed the rules of the healthcare industry and education. According to Google, search engines and online videos are the most important touch points for OTC purchasers, with one in 20 searches on Google related to health. In 2017, there were 40bn healthcare queries in EMEA alone.
4. The global volume of healthcare data doubles every 18 months. It is crucial that we build trust with consumers regarding Big Data, ensuring that our industry uses this in a responsible manner, particularly salient given the introduction of the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation on 25 May 2018.
5. Low levels of health literacy act as a barrier to self-care. We must empower consumers with the tools and knowledge necessary to play an active role in their health management, healthy ageing and prevention. Healthcare systems need conscious individuals who actively pursue a healthy lifestyle, and seek HCP advice where necessary.
6. Technology such as wearables and apps has helped to raise health awareness and engagement among consumers, driving the trend for wellness and encouraging people to become key actors in their health management. In the industry, we see increasing purchases of long-term preventive products, rather than OTC treatments.
7. It is vital that we understand the consumer at a much deeper level than we have done historically, as they no longer want to be sold to, but engaged with. The advent of Big Data and AI deliver us new tools to generate insights and ultimately create more meaningful connections and stronger relationships.
8. There is little to report on regulations — still no decision on botanicals, and no real update on medical device regulations.

Only two weeks to go until the annual North American OTC Conference! Hosted by Nicholas Hall and Everything Health in Morristown, New Jersey, 20-21 June, this highly-anticipated meeting will review crucial topics impacting the competitive landscape around the central theme of The Future of Consumer Self-care: New OTC Solutions. With topics on the agenda including the e-commerce revolution, a presentation on “Magical Marketing in Healthcare” from Google and a look at the industry’s ‘Switch wish list’, this promises to be an event you can’t afford to miss. To receive a copy of the full meeting agenda or to reserve your place now, contact lianne.hill@NicholasHall.com