The Ricola AG is the best known cough drops manufacturer of Switzerland. Emil Wilhelm Richterich founded the company Richterich & Co. Laufen in 1930. Ricola is a family undertaking, that at that time was managed by Felix Richterich. The name is an abbreviation of the original family name. The company holds assets of 245 Million CHF (Swiss Francs) (2004) and employs 400 workers.

Around 200 independent produce companies in the surrounding area service Ricola. In order to obtain enough herbs for the different production of herbal drops, the firm also owns five private herbal gardens in Zermatt, Kandersteg, Pontresina, and Nenzlingen.

Ricola also makes herbal breath mints.