Cough and Flu
Cough, cold and flu are common illnesses in Indonesia. They occur throughout the year and peak during rainy seasons when the cold temperature weakens the immune system. There is also a common local illness called masuk angin (catching a cold), which partly has the same symptoms as a cold or the initial stages of flu, but combining with the feeling of fatigue, nausea, cramps, headaches or stomach upsets.
The medications come with ingredients to relieve a specific symptom (cough only, flu only) or combination products to relieve more than one symptom (for example cough and flu at one go). These are the major players:
- Antangin (from Deltomed Laboratories) and Tolak Angin (from Sido Muncul) continued to be the leading brands in 2019. The brands contain herbal ingredients such as cardamom, ginger and clove.
- Cough remedies. Within this segment, OBH Combi, Vicks 44, Woods and Komix are the leading brands.
- Flu remedies. Mixagrip, Ultraflu, Neozep, Sanaflu and Bodrex are leading in flu remedies.