Singapore, a nation of pill poppers?
For many Singaporeans, it is not an apple but a pill a day that keeps the doctor away.
According to market research firm Euromonitor International, people here spent $638 million on vitamins and dietary supplements last year, an increase of 5 per cent from 2012.
It is a market which has been growing consistently at a rate of 3 to 5 per cent over the past five years, from $519 million in 2008.
Glucosamine, which is usually taken by those with arthritis, saw the largest sales growth of 10 per cent last year to $15.5 million.
Vitamin C remained the single most popular vitamin, with a market share of $19.7 million, a 6 per cent increase from 2012.
Residents in Singapore are also taking more digestive remedies – such as those for gastric problems, indigestion and heart burn – with $16 million spent last year, 4 per cent up from 2012, according to Euromonitor International.
Doctors and dietitians told The Straits Times that the trend could be due to Singaporeans’ hectic lifestyles, meaning they tend to have irregular or imbalanced meals.
“So they turn to supplements to compensate for their diet and also to alleviate symptoms which result from irregular meals like gastritis,” said dietitian Angela Ng.
A spokesman for Watsons Singapore said it saw double-digit growth in both categories last year, with a 20 per cent jump in sales of digestive remedies.
There have also been an increasing number of queries for supplements at Unity outlets, said the chain’s senior pharmacist Sinthu Samikkannu, noting sales growth of “well above” 5 per cent.
However, she cautioned that while information about various supplements is available online, it is best to get medical advice on what and how much to take, as it might differ due to pre-existing medical conditions.
“Some supplements may also interact with prescribed or over-the-counter medications,” she said.
Individuals should also take care not to consume too much of any supplement, said doctors.
“High daily doses of certain vitamins can cause more harm than good to the body,” said Dr Beng Teck Liang, a general practitioner at The Wellness Suite, an SMG clinic. “For example, high doses of vitamin C have been known to cause kidney stones.”
Source: Asia One
Published: 01 Oct 2014
