In the course of the 1990s, the marketing of OTC (over the counter) medicines came to represent a major part of the Diomed group's activities. As the expansion continued into this area, a separate division became necessary to handle the marketing and licensing of these products. This division was eventually to become Diomed Pharmaceuticals.

Diomed Pharmaceuticals has proved to be one of the UK's most outstandingly successful marketeers of OTC medicines. In 1991, it took Ibuleve, the topical painkilling gel, to brand leadership within three months of launch - a position it has firmly consolidated during subsequent years.

Just to prove that Ibuleve wasn't a flash in the pan, this success was repeated with Otex Ear Drops in 1995, and with Bazuka, the wart and verruca treatment, in 1996. Both achieved brand leadership in their respective markets within a year of launch. Diomed Pharmaceutical's latest OTC, Happinose Decongestant Balm, was launched with similarly high hopes in February 2000, and is already proving a great success.

Diomed Pharmaceuticals is highly successful in exporting Diomed's products and know-how to many overseas markets. Diomed also welcomes approaches from companies wishing to out-license both OTC and prescription pharmaceuticals for marketing in the UK and Irish markets.