Investing In Common Cold Prevention and Treatment

Company’s that make products that fight the common cold are in a lucrative industry. Pharmaceutical companies make considerable revenue selling merchandise that eases the symptoms of the common cold (so far, no cure has been found that will destroy the virus). If you are like most people you often visit the closest drug store or visit your family doctor as soon as you catch a bug.

Some experts have compiled stats that show that the common cold results in almost eight billion dollars spent on medical visits, almost three billion on over-the-counter drugs, and four hundred million on prescriptions. Parents will miss an estimated 125 million work days per year caring for children at home (who in turn miss almost 185 million school days). A further 145 million days are spent by adults who miss work on their own account. Add all of this up and catching a cold costs the nation upward of $20 billion per year.

With a $20 billion dollar industry in common cold treatment, there must be some worthy investments out there. A few worth looking into are:

• Quigly Corporation (QGLY) makes homeopathic health products including Cold-Eeze. They manufacture and sell herbal vitamins and dietary supplements. Quigly also does research and development of natural-source derived pharmaceuticals. The company was founded in 1989.
• Matrixx Initiatives, Inc. (MTXX) makes Zicam Cold Remedy, a nasal gel that reduces the duration and severity of colds. They also make Cough Melt and Cough Plus D designed for cough relief and throat irritation. Matrixx Initiatives was founded in 2002.
• Wyeth (WYE) makes over-the-counter health care products comprising analgesics, cough/cold/allergy remedies, and nutritional supplements, including Advil, Dristan, and Robitussin. The company was founded in 1926.
• Johnson and Johnson (JNJ) is the maker of Tylenol, Listerine and other home health products which it distributes world-wide. This company was founded in 1885.

Remember, always do your own research and due diligence.

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