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Boston, MA -- (SBWire) -- 10/17/2014 --Wound care in Japan grew by 1% in both volume and current retail value terms in 2013. The positive growth was led by sticking plasters/adhesive bandages while gauze, tape and other wound care continued to decline. The popularity of highly functional products and new launches in sticking plasters/adhesive bandages in the premium price range contributed to the positive performance of the category. In contrast, no innovative new launches or hit products were observed in gauze, tape and other wound care, which led to the decline in 2013.

Competitive Landscape

Johnson & Johnson KK retained the top position in wound care in 2013. The company?s Band-Aid is the top brand in the category. As the brand is widely recognised by consumers, Band-Aid is synonymous with sticking plasters. The value sales of regular Band-Aid products account for a large component of the company?s sales while the fastest growing product in 2013 continued to be Kizu Power Pad, which is a highly functional premium plaster under the Band-Aid brand. In addition, the company introduced a new plaster, Quilt Pad, under the Band-Aid brand in March 2013. With a three-dimensional quilt shaped pad and a tape made of a special fabric for medical use, Quilt Pad offers improved breathability.

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Industry Prospects

Wound care is expected to register a CAGR of 1% at constant 2013 prices over the forecast period. The market size of regular sticking plasters/adhesive bandages and gauze, tape and other wound care is likely to remain static. However, the positive growth is expected to be driven by moist healing products, which is expected to show the most dynamic movement in wound care over the forecast period. While moist healing products are mainly consumed by children and housewives, there is a possibility that moist healing products will be used to treat bedsores among the elderly. While moist healing products have already been used in medical settings, such products are not yet available as OTC products. With the growing elderly population and increasing demand for self-medication, such OTC products would have huge potential to contribute to the expansion of the wound care market in Japan if launched.

Retail value sales of dermatologicals in Japan increased by 1% in current terms in 2013. Hair loss treatments remained the largest category in terms of retail value sales. The category?s steady growth turned negative in 2012 due to the negative growth of RiUP by Taisho Pharmaceutical Co Ltd, the largest brand in hair loss treatments compared to the significant sales increase of the brand in 2011. The remarkable performance was because of research findings by the Japanese Dermatological Association that certified the effectiveness of the key active ingredient in RiUP. Therefore, compared to 2012, sales of hair loss treatments recovered in 2013. While men?s hair loss treatments accounted for the majority of the total sales, women?s hair loss treatments expanded its value share in 2013 with several new products launches. In addition to women in middle-age and above, an increasing number of young women in their 30s are using hair loss treatment products for prevention purposes.

Competitive Landscape

Taisho Pharmaceutical Co Ltd remained the top player in dermatologicals. Its brand RiUP continued to dominate hair loss treatments, with a retail value share of 48% in 2013. The company launched an aerosol version of RiUP in December 2012 to meet the needs of young consumers in their 20s and 30s. Kao Corp?s Success ranked second. Compared to RiUP, Success is popular among younger consumers because of its affordable pricing. Other players actively promoted women?s hair loss treatments in 2013. Bathclin Corp launched three scalp care sprays for women from its hair loss treatments brand Mouga in February 2013. Lion Corp launched its first women?s hair loss treatments product, Fleuria, in June 2013, which is only available online. RiUP also offers a hair loss treatments product for women, RiUP Regenne, although its retail value sales remained low in 2013.

Industry Prospects

Dermatologicals is expected to register a CAGR of 1% at constant 2013 prices over the forecast period. Cold sore treatments is expected to remain the fastest growing category but account for only 4% of total retail value sales of dermatologicals in 2018. Retail value sales of hair loss treatments are expected to grow steadily, driven by growing demand among female consumers. More products marketed for female hair loss treatments are expected to be introduced over the forecast period. Topical antifungals is another promising category ? the success of Rohto?s Mentholatum Exive highlighted demand for women?s athlete?s foot treatments.

Report Overview

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