OTC
Medicines

OTC Medicine Supply for International Buyers & Distributors

Over-the-counter and consumer health medicines represent a substantial segment of international pharmaceutical procurement. Hospital pharmacies, wholesale distributors and retail pharmacy chains in GCC countries and Africa regularly source UK OTC products for their known quality standards, familiar brand names and consistent formulations. Euro Biom supplies UK-licensed OTC medicines for export under its MHRA Wholesale Dealer Authorisation, serving institutional buyers, government procurement offices and private distributors.

Analgesics and antipyretics form the backbone of any OTC formulary. Paracetamol is available in tablet, soluble tablet, capsule, oral liquid and suppository formats, with intravenous paracetamol (Perfalgan) being an important product for hospital pharmacies managing post-operative and acute pain without opioids. Ibuprofen is supplied in tablet, liquid and topical gel formats. Aspirin 75mg and 300mg are also available, as is codeine linctus for cough and mild-to-moderate pain where regulations permit importation.

Gastrointestinal, Digestive and Rehydration Products

Gastrointestinal OTC products are consistently high-volume in international orders. Antacids and alginate preparations including Gaviscon, Rennie and omeprazole OTC 20mg are frequently requested. Simeticone preparations for flatulence and infant colic, and laxatives including lactulose, senna and macrogol, are also within our sourcing range. Oral rehydration salts (ORS) are a critical product for African buyers, where diarrhoeal disease is a leading cause of morbidity and hospital ORS demand is substantial. We supply ORS sachets in WHO-formula and branded formulations including Dioralyte.

Cold, cough and allergy medicines are a major OTC category for GCC and African buyers. Antihistamines including chlorphenamine (chlorpheniramine), cetirizine, loratadine and fexofenadine cover both sedating and non-sedating options. Pseudoephedrine-based decongestants, guaifenesin expectorants and dextromethorphan cough suppressants are also sourced regularly. UK branded cold and flu combination products such as Lemsip, Beechams and Night Nurse are requested by international distributors serving markets where consumers recognise and trust UK brands.

Topical OTC products cover a broad range of everyday clinical needs. Hydrocortisone cream (1 percent OTC strength) is widely used for eczema and dermatitis. Antifungal skin treatments including clotrimazole cream and terbinafine cream are standard formulary items. Benzoyl peroxide for acne, aciclovir 5 percent cream for cold sores, zinc oxide preparations and calamine lotion are all regularly requested. Chlorhexidine-based antiseptic products and wound care items including non-adherent dressings and wound closure strips are also within our OTC supply capability.

Oral care, eye care and ear care OTC products are frequently grouped with broader OTC procurement orders. Chlorhexidine gluconate mouthwash, Bonjela oral gel for mouth ulcers and fluoride toothpastes are standard oral care lines. Chloramphenicol 0.5 percent eye drops and ointment, which are available OTC in the UK for bacterial conjunctivitis, are regularly requested by GCC buyers where the product may require prescription. Sodium bicarbonate ear drops for wax softening are another commonly requested item for hospital ear care departments.

Vitamins and supplements available OTC represent an important crossover category. Folic acid 400mcg for pre-conception supplementation, vitamin D 400IU and 1000IU, vitamin B12 in oral tablet form, iron supplements including ferrous sulphate and ferrous fumarate tablets, zinc supplements and broad-spectrum multivitamins are all sourced regularly. These are distinct from clinical-grade injectable vitamins, which Euro Biom supplies separately, but OTC vitamin formats are high-volume for both retail pharmacy and hospital outpatient dispensing.

Hospital pharmacies and wholesale buyers in GCC and Africa procure OTC products in bulk for several distinct reasons. Outpatient dispensing at hospital level often includes OTC analgesics, antacids and antihistamines as part of standard patient packs. International brand recognition matters greatly in markets where patients request specific UK products by name. Pack size flexibility, including patient-pack quantities and bulk pharmacy packs, is also important. Euro Biom can supply UK OTC medicines in the formats appropriate for export, providing GDP-compliant documentation and batch traceability for all shipments.