[THE INVESTOR] Vitamins and tonics topped the list of best-selling over-the-counter drugs in South Korea in the first half of the year, data showed on Aug. 29.

According to the first-half business reports by local drug makers, the best-selling OTC medication was Aronamin, a vitamin manufactured by Ildong Pharmaceutical, in the January-June period with sales of 33.5 billion won (US$29.90 million).

Daewoong Pharmaceutical‘s hepatic protector Ursa came next with 30.9 billion won, followed by Dongwha Pharm’s digestive Gas Whalmyungsu-Q and Kwangdong Pharmaceutical’s tranquilizer Cheongshimwon with 18.1 billion won.

Market analysts attributed the strong sales of vitamins and tonics to consumers’ growing awareness of the importance of health.

(theinvestor@heraldcorp.com)