About Us
AESGP, the Association of the European Self-Care Industry, is the voice of the manufacturers of non-prescription medicines, food supplements, and self-care medical devices in Europe, an area also referred to as “self-care” or “consumer healthcare” products.
Our mission
Because staying healthy as a society starts with each of us, our mission at AESGP is to support everyone in Europe’s access to safe, effective and sustainable self-care, empowering people to take better care of their own and their families’ health.
We aspire to lead and champion self-care, to ultimately contribute to the sustainability of European healthcare systems.
To fulfil our mission, we work to align our membership and engage with policymakers, regulators and other stakeholders to create a safe and supportive environment.
Our strategyKey facts
- 4,5 billion packs of non-prescription products ; 1,2 billion packs of minerals and vitamins ; and 2,1 billion packs of medical devices were bought by Europeans in 2025 to improve their health and wellbeing. (IQVIA Consumer Health Data 2025)
- Ailments that can be managed with self-care products typically include allergies, gastrointestinal disorders, cuts, bites, rashes, cough, cold, and pain.
- Almost 1 out of 2 packs of medicines dispensed in European community pharmacies has a non-prescription status.
- 200+ active pharmaceutical ingredients (INN) are available without prescription in Europe.
- 4,000+ medicines are available without a prescription in Europe.
- 2,000+ companies operate in the consumer healthcare sector in Europe, half of which are small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). They are affiliated with AESGP directly or indirectly through national associations.
Why ‘AESGP’?
‘AESGP’ stands for ‘Association Européenne des Spécialités Pharmaceutiques Grand Public’ (fr). ‘European Association of Consumer Pharmaceutical Specialties’, if you translate literally, or ‘Association of the European Self-Care Industry’, as we call ourselves.
Not many people remember, but it all started in Paris in 1964, hence the French name. AESGP has been around for 60 years and we hope it will continue for as many more.
Our historyOur work in Europe and beyond
AESGP partners with a wide range of stakeholders to ensure everyone in Europe has access to the self-care tools, reliable information and support they need to appropriately and effectively treat and prevent minor illnesses and common conditions themselves, often in consultation with a pharmacist or a doctor.
We are a recognized stakeholder by the European Medicines Agency (EMA), the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the European Commission.
Our Transparency register number is 99565011637-64.
We represent our members on the global level through the Global Self-Care Federation (GSCF), a like-minded organisation connecting associations and manufacturers of self-care products across more than 30 countries in the world.