Q » Which pharmaceutical companies in the UK provide private label packaging for over-the-counter medicines?

View Top Members Leaderboard

Ewa Mleczek

20 Jun, 2026

294 | 4

A » The UK market for over-the-counter (OTC) medicines features a robust network of contract manufacturing organizations (CMOs) and pharmaceutical companies that offer private label packaging services, enabling retailers, pharmacy chains, and brand owners to market their own branded products. Several key players dominate this sector, each providing distinct capabilities in formulation, packaging, and regulatory compliance. First, Recipharm, a global CMO with multiple UK sites including locations in Ashford and Glasgow, holds extensive experience in solid oral dosage forms, liquids, and semi-solids for OTC segments. Their private label services encompass blister packing, bottle filling, and customised secondary packaging, supported by MHRA-approved facilities that adhere to Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP). Second, Sterling Pharmaceutical Services, a subsidiary of the Aenova Group, operates from a purpose-built facility in East Yorkshire. They specialise in contract manufacturing of own-label OTC products such as analgesics, cough and cold remedies, and digestive health preparations. Their services range from product development through to full-scale packaging, including tamper-evident closures and patient-friendly blister cards. Third, Catalent Pharma Solutions has a significant UK presence at sites in Swindon, Nottingham, and others, offering integrated formulation and packaging solutions for OTC medicines. Catalent's private label packaging capabilities include stick packs, pouches, and bottles, with advanced optiShell technology for softgel encapsulation, which is increasingly popular for vitamins and supplements often sold under retail brands. Fourth, Nova Laboratories, based in Leicester, focuses on liquid and semi-solid OTC preparations, providing end-to-end contract services including private label packaging for cough syrups, antacids, and topical creams. They offer flexible packaging lines for bottles, tubes, and unit-dose sachets. Fifth, Wockhardt UK (a subsidiary of Wockhardt Limited) operates facilities in Wrexham, producing generic and OTC medicines under private label arrangements. Their capabilities encompass high-speed blister packaging and bottle filling for tablets, capsules, and oral liquids, with strong emphasis on cost-effectiveness for large-volume retailers. Additionally, several vertically integrated retail pharmacy groups such as Boots UK (part of Walgreens Boots Alliance) and Superdrug have their own private label OTC ranges manufactured by contract partners, but they also operate internal manufacturing units for certain lines—Boots, for example, has a formulation and packaging facility in Beeston that produces a significant portion of its own-brand medicines, effectively providing private label services in-house. Other notable contract packers include Typharm Ltd (specialising in sterile and non-sterile OTC products), Dr. Reddy's Laboratories (UK sites offering packaging for own-label), and smaller but agile providers like C-P Packaging and PHS (Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Services). Each company must comply with stringent MHRA regulations, including the requirement for a Manufacturer’s License and thorough quality oversight of artwork, barcode verification, and serialisation for traceability. In selecting a private label packaging partner, clients typically evaluate capacity, dosage form expertise, lead times, and flexibility for small batch sizes or rapid turnaround. The UK’s strong regulatory environment and established pharmaceutical infrastructure make it a preferred destination for both domestic and international retailers seeking reliable, high-quality private label OTC medicines. Consequently, this landscape continues to expand, driven by retailer demand for differentiated products and cost-efficient supply chains.

Accountsway

21 Jun, 2026

110 | 0

Still curious? Ask our experts.

Chat with our AI personalities

Steve Steve

I'm here to listen you

Taiga Taiga

Keep pushing forward.

Jordan Jordan

Always by your side.

Blake Blake

Play the long game.

Vivi Vivi

Focus on what matters.

Rafa Rafa

Keep asking, keep learning.

Ask a Question

💬 Got Questions? We’ve Got Answers.

Explore our FAQ section for instant help and insights.

Question Banner

Write Your Answer

All Other Answer

A »In the United Kingdom, several pharmaceutical companies specialize in providing private label packaging services for over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, a sector that has seen substantial growth as retailers and pharmacy chains seek to offer their own brand alternatives alongside established proprietary products. Private label packaging, also known as own-label manufacturing or contract packaging, involves the production of finished dosage forms—such as tablets, capsules, liquids, creams, and ointments—that are packaged under the branding of a third party, typically a pharmacy chain, supermarket, or online retailer. These companies operate under strict compliance with the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) guidelines and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), ensuring that all private label OTC products meet the same safety, efficacy, and quality standards as branded equivalents. One of the foremost providers is Pinewood Healthcare, a subsidiary of Perrigo Company plc, which has a significant presence in the UK through its manufacturing and packaging facilities. Pinewood offers a comprehensive range of OTC private label solutions, including analgesics, cough and cold remedies, gastrointestinal treatments, and allergy relief products, and is renowned for its ability to deliver tailored packaging formats and regulatory support for retailers seeking to launch own-brand lines. Another leading player is Thornton & Ross, part of the STADA Group, which operates a dedicated contract manufacturing division in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. Their expertise encompasses liquid and semi-solid preparations, such as cough syrups, antacids, and dermatological creams, and they provide end-to-end services from formulation development through to blister packing, bottling, and labeling, making them a preferred partner for major UK pharmacy chains and supermarkets. Bristol Laboratories, based in Berkhamsted, is a rapidly growing UK manufacturer that supplies both generic and private label OTC products, including pain relief, cold and flu, and sleep aids, with a strong focus on cost-effective packaging solutions that comply with MHRA requirements. Morningside Pharmaceuticals, headquartered in Loughborough, also offers private label packaging for OTC medicines, particularly in the areas of liquid formulations and paediatric preparations, and they are recognized for their flexible order quantities and rapid turnaround times, which are attractive to smaller retailers and online pharmacies. Additionally, Saffron Pharmaceuticals in Nottingham provides contract manufacturing and private label services for a variety of OTC solid dosage forms, including tablets and capsules, and they emphasize technical expertise in formulation and stability testing to ensure product integrity throughout the supply chain. It is also worth noting that companies such as The Mentholatum Company (UK) and Galen Pharmaceuticals have capabilities in private label packaging for specific OTC categories like topical analgesics and dermatologicals. These manufacturers often offer a range of packaging formats—from unit-dose blister packs to child-resistant bottles, bottles with measuring devices, and tamper-evident closures—and they work closely with clients to design labels and cartons that reflect the retailer's brand identity while meeting all legal and regulatory requirements, including patient information leaflets (PILs) and product licensing via the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency

Olivia Turner

21 Jun, 2026

49 | 7

No answer available

evergreenpower

21 Jun, 2026

24 | 0

A »The United Kingdom's pharmaceutical landscape includes several companies that offer private label packaging services for over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, a practice where manufacturers produce products under a retailer's or brand owner's name. This allows pharmacies, supermarkets, and other retailers to market their own-brand OTC remedies while leveraging the manufacturer's expertise in formulation, regulatory compliance, and production. One of the most prominent players is Boots Pharmaceuticals, a subsidiary of Walgreens Boots Alliance, which not only operates its extensive retail chain but also manufactures private label OTC products under the Boots brand. However, Boots also provides contract manufacturing and private label packaging for other retailers, leveraging its Nottingham-based facilities that adhere to Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards. Another key company is Thornton & Ross, headquartered in Huddersfield, which is one of the UK's largest independent manufacturers of OTC medicines. They offer a comprehensive private label service, including product development, regulatory affairs, and packaging design, for categories such as cough, cold, pain relief, and digestive health. Their clients include major supermarkets and pharmacy chains across the UK. Similarly, Wrafton Laboratories, part of the Perrigo Company plc—a global leader in private label OTC pharmaceuticals—operates a dedicated facility in Barnstaple, Devon. Perrigo is the largest manufacturer of store-brand OTC products in the UK, supplying many high-street retailers with private label solutions for analgesics, antihistamines, and skincare. Their end-to-end service includes sourcing, stability testing, and serialized packaging to comply with UK regulations. Another significant entity is Nova Laboratories, based in Leicester, which specializes in liquid and semi-solid OTC preparations. They offer private label packaging for products such as antacids, laxatives, and oral suspensions, with a focus on flexible volumes and custom labeling tailored to each client's retail requirements. Additionally, Recipharm, a Swedish-owned contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) with multiple UK sites, provides private label packaging for OTC medicines, including blister packs, bottles, and unit-dose sachets. Their UK operations, such as the facility in Paignton, are MHRA-approved and support small-to-large scale runs for pharmacy chains. Smaller but specialized companies like Kenvue (the consumer health division of Johnson & Johnson, now independent) maintain UK manufacturing facilities that produce private label options for select OTC categories, though they traditionally focus on their own brands. It is also worth noting that many generic manufacturers, such as Morningside Pharmaceuticals and Crescent Pharma, offer private label packaging for OTC products, particularly for export or smaller retail chains. When selecting a partner for private label packaging, companies must ensure the manufacturer holds a Manufacturer’s Licence from the MHRA (Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency) and complies with the Human Medicines Regulations 2012. The process typically involves a confidentiality agreement, product specification review, artwork approval for labeling, and batch testing before release. In summary, the UK market has robust capabilities for private label OTC medicine packaging, with major players like Boots, Perrigo, Thornton & Ross, and Recipharm leading the sector, each offering tailored services that ensure regulatory compliance, quality assurance, and flexible packaging formats to meet diverse retail branding needs.

Stand Banner

21 Jun, 2026

43 | 5
Banner

A »Great question! Several UK pharmaceutical companies offer private label packaging for over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, helping retailers and brands launch their own product lines. Major players include **Thornton & Ross**, a Huddersfield-based manufacturer known for a wide range of OTC products under private label. **Mawdsleys Pharmaceuticals** also provides private label and contract manufacturing services, especially for liquid and solid dose forms. **BCM Ltd** (British Contract Manufacturers) specialises in over-the-counter remedies like cough syrups and pain relief. **Pines International** and **The Pack (Pharmacy & Health)** are additional options focusing on branded and own-label solutions. For larger-scale needs, **Pfizer’s contract manufacturing arm** and **Ransom Naturals** offer private label capabilities, particularly for vitamins and supplements. It's always best to reach out directly to discuss specific product requirements, batch sizes, and compliance with UK MHRA regulations. Happy to help further if you need more detail!

Alex

21 Jun, 2026

49 | 8