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FLORHAM PARK, N.J. – Hisamitsu America, today, celebrates the 90th anniversary of the Salonpas patch, the world’s No. 1 brand of Over-the-Counter (OTC) topical analgesics in the patch category, which was introduced in Japan in 1934.
Hisamitsu Pharmaceutical Co., with dual headquarters in Kyushu and Tokyo is the parent company of Hisamitsu America, manufacturer of Salonpas and global pioneer and innovator of transdermal and topical patch technology operating around the world.
“Since its inception, the Salonpas brand has evolved into a legacy of trusted and effective OTC pain relief solutions including patches, creams, gels, sprays and liquids,” said John Incledon, president & CEO, Hisamitsu America, the marketers of Salonpas, the No. 1 Doctor and Pharmacist recommended OTC Topical Pain Patch2 and the first FDA-approved OTC topical pain reliever in 2008 with the Salonpas Pain Relief Patch.
Time-Tested, Research-Driven, Cross-Generational Efficacy
“Salonpas is more than a pain relief patch; it’s a symbol of time-tested, trusted medicine that transcends generations,” said Bob Arnot, M.D., internal medicine who is a journalist, author and served as a medical and foreign correspondent for NBC and CBS. “Crafted with care and precision, Salonpas has become synonymous with effective and innovative OTC topical pain relief solutions.”
Remarkable Growth in the U.S. Market
Since 2010, Salonpas has witnessed extraordinary growth in the U.S. market. Retail sales have surged over tenfold, reaching over $200 million3 in 2023. “This achievement underscores the brand’s ongoing commitment in bringing innovation to the topical pain relief category to satisfy a growing number of customers,” says Incledon.
Despite Salonpas achieving record revenues in the U.S., less than 1 in 3 U.S. households are buying products in the External Analgesics category, with the Salonpas OTC brand facing even lower consumer adoption.
“I see Hisamitsu America as the ‘little engine that could,’ continually striving to win the hearts and minds of every pharmacist, doctor, and consumer,” says Incledon. “People who have discovered Salonpas are satisfied and brand loyal, but our goal is to bring many more people under the ‘topicals tent’ like other parts of the world, especially Japan. People have many effective options for pain relief that do not involve taking a pill.”
‘Salonpas’ is cited as the fastest growing search term – up 98.8% in 20235 with more Facebook fans and followers than any other systemic or topical OTC analgesic brand6. The brand continues to innovate and educate with the extraordinary growth of the Salonpas brand in the United States reinforced by the success of the Salonpas Lidocaine 4% Pain Relieving FLEX Patch distinguished as the #1 new item in the External Analgesics OTC category7.
“As we mark this significant milestone, we extend our gratitude to our loyal customers, partners, and dedicated teams worldwide. The 90th Anniversary of Salonpas is not just a celebration of the past but a reaffirmation of our commitment to advancing pain relief solutions for the future,” says Incledon.
Since its formation, the company mission of Hisamitsu is to improve the quality of life for people around the world through R&D, manufacturing, and the sale of topical analgesic products. Hisamitsu’s culture focuses on spreading compassionate consideration to others.
