Hisamitsu Pharmaceutical Co., Inc.
May 18, 2026
Salonpas® Named the World’s No. 1 OTC Topical Analgesic Patch Brand*1 for the Tenth Consecutive Year
Based on research by Euromonitor International (UK),*2 a leading global market research company
Hisamitsu Pharmaceutical Co., Inc. (Head Office: Tosu, Saga; President & CEO: NAKATOMI, Kazuhide) is pleased to announced that Euromonitor International Ltd., a leading international market research company, recognized Salonpas® as the world’s No. 1 OTC topical analgesic patch brand for the tenth consecutive year since 2016. Euromonitor International presented Hisamitsu Pharmaceutical with two official certificates, one recognizing Salonpas®’s achievement and one naming Hisamitsu Pharmaceutical as the holder of the world’s largest share in the corresponding market category for nine years running.

Left : The certificate recognizing Salonpas® as the world’s No. 1 OTC topical analgesic patch brand
Right : The certificate naming Hisamitsu Pharmaceutical as the global leader in the OTC topical analgesic patch market
* Please contact Hisamitsu Pharmaceutical (contact information below) if you would like to obtain the data for the images above.
Salonpas® marks its 92nd anniversary since its launch in Japan and the 90th anniversary since it began overseas export. The recognition as the world’s No.1 brand in sales share for 10 consecutive years has been made possible by the continued trust and support of customers around the world who choose and use Salonpas®, as well as our partners in each region who help share and deliver the value of Salonpas® to people across the globe. We extend our heartfelt thanks to all who have supported Salonpas® over the years.
Founded in 1847 in the Tashiro (formerly Hizen-Tashiro) area of Tosu, Saga, Hisamitsu Pharmaceutical has expanded its presence beyond Japan, operating subsidiaries, sales offices, and production sites worldwide. Under the spirit of “The Customer-first Principle,” we have continuously delivered Salonpas® and other products to customers in Japan and around the world.
Viewing this milestone of ten consecutive years as a new starting point, Hisamitsu Pharmaceutical will continue to sincerely engage with customers worldwide and strive to develop products that earn even greater trust and long-term preference. Guided by our basic principle, “Delivering a Better QOL to the World.”, we will continue to contribute to improving the quality of life for people around the globe.

Date :
May 18, 2026
Location :
Hisamitsu Pharmaceutical Tokyo Head Office (The ceremony was held online.)
Left :
NAKATOMI Kazuhide, President, Hisamitsu Pharmaceutical
Right : Mr. Sean Kreidler, Senior Research Manager, Euromonitor International
May 18 has been registered with the Japan Anniversary Association as “Salonpas® Day,” whose date has linguistic ties to the Japanese phrase “Kori o iyasu” (“relieving stiffness”): “Ko” corresponds to the number 5 (“go”); “i” represents 1; and “ya” stands for 8.
*1 :
Research Method
To determine the world’s No. 1 OTC topical analgesic patch brand, Euromonitor International conducts a global market research from March to April every year. In the thirteen countries and region collectively representing more than 70% of the global topical patch product retail market in 2025(China, Japan, the United States, Germany, India, Italy, Thailand, Brazil, Indonesia, Vietnam, Philippines, Malaysia and Taiwan), Euromonitor International conducted trade interviews of manufacturers and wholesalers, visited retail outlets for store checks, and compiled the sales figures of patch products by country and brand to calculate the corresponding sales shares.
*2 :
Euromonitor International
Euromonitor International, a British company headquartered in London, is a leader in international market research with exclusive researchers in over 100 countries.
For further
information, please contact:
Hisamitsu Pharmaceutical Co. Inc., Public and Investor
Relations Office 2-4-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan 100-6330
TEL: +81-3-5293-1732