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Tylenol sales jump 140% due to the pandemic
by Chon, Seung-Hyun Aug 24, 2021 06:05am
Sales of the OTC antipyretic analgesic ‘Tylenol’ have soared. With the increased demand among people receiving the COVID-19 vaccinations, Tylenol sold ₩43.6 billion in the first half of this year, which is twice more than that sold in the whole term of last year. There has been criticism that the government’s recommendation to take Tylenol in the early phases of inoculation has promoted sales of specific brands. According to the pharmaceutical research institution IQVIA on the 23rd, sales of Tylenol Tab. and Tylenol 8 hours ER Tab. had sold 139.6% more year-on-year to record ₩43.6 billion in the first half of this year. Tylenol’s sales increased 167.9% YOY to record ₩33.6 billion, and sales of Tylenol 8 hours ER Tab. increased 77.0% YOY to record ₩10 billion. Tylenol and Tylenol 8 hours ER are both antipyretic analgesics containing the single-ingredient acetaminophen. Sales of both Tylenol and Tylenol 8 hours ER had surged in Q2 this year. Tylenol’s sales in Q1 increased 25.9% YOY to ₩8.1 billion, but expanded further in Q2 to increase 318.6% YOY to record ₩25.5 billion. Tylenol 8 hours ER sold ₩2.5 billion in Q1, which was a 27.9% decrease YOY to ₩2.5 billion, but sales of the product rebound in Q2 to rise 253.5% YOY and record ₩7.5 billion. Sales have increased with those receiving COVID-19 vaccinations buying Tylenol in advance to prepare for fevers or muscle aches. Inoculations started in Korea in late February, and with the number of people receiving vaccination increasing, demand for antipyretic analgesics has also surged. Also, there has been criticism over the government’s contribution to the surge of sales. The government authorities have informed people receiving COVID-19 vaccinations that “it is good to take Tylenol when fevers or other side effects arise after vaccination.” Since then, the demand for Tylenol took a sudden leap and led to shortages in its stock. Due to the continued instability in the supply of Tylenol, the government belatedly set out to address the issue. In May, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety had announced that around 60 single-ingredient acetaminophens products are being sold in the market, and guided citizens to purchase other products. In June, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, Korean Pharmacists’ association, Korea Pharmaceutical and Bio-Pharma Manufacturers Association, Korea Pharmaceuticals Distribution Association, and Tylenol’s manufacturer Johnson & Johnson had agreed to work together to stabilize the supply of acetaminophen. The Korea Pharmaceuticals Distribution Association had made emergency measures to promptly supply the acetaminophen that they received to all pharmacies nationwide. The MFDS also discussed measures with the Korea Pharmaceuticals Distribution Association and Johnson & Johnson Korea to expand the supply of Tylenol to pharmacies nationwide. However, other acetaminophen products did not enjoy such an increase in their sales. Sales of major acetaminophen agents in Korea have shown that sales of Samjin Pharm’s ‘Geborin’ fell 30.3% YOY to record ₩6.6 billion in the first half of this year. Geborin’s sales fell 6.9% YOY in Q1, then increased 8.3% YOY in Q2, and did not benefit from the increased number of COVID-19 vaccinations. Sales of Chong Kun Dang’s ‘Penzal Q’ and ‘Penzal 8 hours ER’ fell 7.2% YOY to record ₩2.2 billion in the first half of this year. In fact, acetaminophen’s position in the market had become unstable with the constant safety issues that were being raised recently. The MFDS has strengthened the safety measures for prolonged-release forms of acetaminophen-containing agents in 2018 to reduce risks from overdose such as liver damage etc. The authorities reduced the package units to less than the maximum daily dose and indicated the dosing interval (8 hours) in the product name. In 2011, the strength of each dosage unit of prescription acetaminophen products was restricted to 325mg due to the risk of liver damage and allergic reactions. In addition, an impurity concern arose last year. In July last year, the acetaminophen API manufactured and supplied by the Chinese API manufacturing company Anqiu Lu'an Pharmaceutical was found to be contaminated by 4-Chloroaniline. The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety announced that it had collected and inspected a total of 60 lot numbers from all manufactories and that the impurity in question was not detected. However, the sudden spread of the pandemic and the increase in vaccinations have brought an upsurge in sales of Tylenol. Sales of the 4 Tylenol series products including Tylenol Cold S and Women’s Tylenol have recorded ₩45.1 billion, increasing 122.2% compared to the previous year.