Opioid Analgesics Market by Drug Class (Morphine, Codeine, Fentanyl, Meperidine, Methadone, Tramadol, Oxycodone, Dextromethorphan, Buprenorphine, Others), Indication (Surgical Pain, Cancer Pain, Neuropathic Pain, Other), Route of Administration (Oral, Parenteral, Transdermal, Other), End User (Hospitals, Retail Pharmacies, Drug Stores, Online Pharmacies) & Region - Forecast to 2021 - 2031

Key Points Covered in Opioid Analgesics Market Survey

• Opioid Analgesics Market estimates and forecast 2021-2031
• Key drivers and restraints impacting market growth
• Segment-wise, Country-wise, and Region-wise Analysis
• Competition Mapping and Benchmarking
• Brand share and Opioid Analgesics Market Share Analysis
• Key Product Innovations and Regulatory Climate
• COVID-19 Impact on Opioid Analgesics and how to Navigate
• Recommendation on Key Winning Strategies

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Opioid Analgesics Historic Sales Compared to 2021-2031 Forecast Outlook

Demand for opioid analgesics grew at a steady pace, exhibiting a 4.2% CAGR between 2016 and 2020. As per the report, oxycodone had the highest Opioid Analgesics Market share, capturing 19.7% of the total sales recorded in 2020.

Increasing incidence of chronic pain & orthopaedic diseases among the geriatric population is fuelling growth of the opioid analgesics market. Also, rising disposable income and increasing expenditure on healthcare are some factors anticipated to boost growth of the Opioid Analgesics Market during the forecast period.

Opioids are known to be the most effective drugs for pain management. Their utilization in chronic pain management is a standard procedure in many countries across the world.

In response to growing incidence of cancer, orthopaedic diseases and neuropathic pain, demand for opioid analgesics is predicted to grow at a steady pace. FMI has projected the Opioid Analgesics Market to expand at a 5.4% CAGR through 2031.

What are Key Opportunities for Opioid Analgesics Manufacturers?

The convenience and efficacy of opioid analgesics makes them the most preferred drugs for pain management and palliative care. However, to eliminate chances of addiction and overuse, certain regulations are imposed on sales of opioids.

As a result, manufacturers are trying to improve their product offerings by investing in research and development to develop milder and less addictive drugs. This is indicative of lucrative growth opportunities for key opioid analgesics manufacturers.

On the flipside, many people find smaller doses of opioids to be ineffective in treating severe pain. These patients need to take a higher dose of drugs to subdue their pain, which eventually makes them opioid tolerant, and in some cases, addicted to these drugs.

Hence, commercializing opioid-tolerant drugs is anticipated to be one of the main opportunities for manufacturers in the opioid drugs market. This will also help in decreasing the side effects caused by or associated with high consumption of opioid drugs, which in turn, will boost sales of opioid analgesics over the forthcoming years.

How COVID-19 has Impacted Opioid Analgesics Market?

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a negative impact across the medical sector, such as reduction in face-to-face appointments and a rise in telehealth visits. Lockdown restrictions were imposed to control the virus and sustain sufficient capacity in hospitals.

Chronic pain remained one of the toughest-hit fields from the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving most of patients with their ongoing treatment delayed and sustained with their chronic pain.

For example, as per the research article published in 2020, in the Indian Journal of Anesthesia, by Rajendra K Sahoo et a., the study outcomes found that 63.16% of pain doctors had a fear of contracting or spreading the disease to patient families, 1.43% physicians were suffering from depression, 26.79% had impaired sleep, and 8.14% had feelings of anxiety.

Will Increasing Incidence of Opioid Addiction Hinder Sales?

Unavailability of opioids in emerging economies and side effects associated with these drugs are primary factors restraining growth of the opioid analgesics market. Besides this, increasing severity of abusive opioids and their misuse is another major factor hampering growth of the Opioid Analgesics Market.

In addition to this, chronic side effects associated with opioids pose a major challenge for the growth of the Opioid Analgesics Market. For instance, high consumption of morphine can result in severe issue sin the respiratory system, which sometimes can even lead to coma and eventually death. Long-term usage of morphine can result in psychological and physical addiction and could impair the body’s immune system.

Due to increasing misuse of abusive opioids, physicians have reduced their prescription for pain management, which has reduced their overall sale globally. As per the IASP (International Association for the Study of Pain), about 20–30% of opioids given for chronic pain are being misused. In addition to this, around 10% of the total opioid customers are addicted to it.

Rising incidence of opioid abuse is expected to hinder growth of the opioid analgesics market, as physicians are reluctant to prescribe opioids as a pain medication.

Country-wise Insights

What Makes the U.S. an Attractive Opioid Analgesics Market?  

The U.S. is projected to dominate the North America opioid analgesics market, holding 86% of the total market share in 2021. Rising prevalence of chronic illnesses and growing consumption of opioids as a pain medication are expected to continue providing tailwinds to sales of opioid analgesics.

Key manufacturers of opioid analgesics in the U.S. are focusing on launching new products to comply with updated regulatory procedures. In addition to this, support from the government-led investments in clinical research will enable the country to continue its dominance over the forecast period.

What will be the Demand Outlook for Opioid Analgesics in Germany?

Sales of opioid analgesics in Germany are projected to rise at a 3.8% CAGR, reaching a valuation of US$ 2.2 Bn in 2021.

Adoption of opioids maintenance treatment (OMT) for treatment of opioids dependence (OD), increasing utilization of non-abusive opioids, and favourable reimbursement programmes offered by German regulatory bodies concerning awareness of palliative care are key factors propelling sales of opioid analgesics in Germany.

Why is Demand for Opioid Analgesics Rising in the U.K.?

The U.K. is projected to lead the Europe opioid analgesics market, with sales growing at a 4.7% CAGR over the forecast period.

The U.K. healthcare system is a well-renowned and universal system, receiving high funding from the government. It is known to be one of the most flourishing and successful healthcare systems among all the countries.

As per our analysis, the U.K. is recognized as the third-dominating Opioid Analgesics Market, and the position is expected to hold over the forecast period.  Also, the presence of several major players, growing pipeline drugs, and rising research efforts creates a lucrative opportunities for opioids in the U.K.

Why is China Considered an Emerging Market for Opioid Analgesics?

As per FMI, China is anticipated to lead the East Asia market, accounting for 54.2% of the Opioid Analgesics Market share in 2021. China is dominating the East Asia market owing to increasing utilization of high amounts of opioids for pain management and its extensive manufacturing capacity.

China is the second-largest pharmaceutical market in the world due to rapid productivity and large-scale capital investments in the healthcare sector.

How Will Sales of Opioid Analgesics Fare Across India?

India is expected to hold 35.4% of the South Asia opioid analgesics market share in 2021, with sales growing at a steady 5.7% CAGR.

Small and large pharmaceutical companies in India are actively investing in research and development in response to growing demand for opioid analgesics in the country. A large number of novel drugs in the pipeline are almost at the last stage, and will be available to patients soon.

Presence of government-funded medical and pharmaceutical institutions in India are facilitating clinical trials for opioid analgesics. This surge in the research activities in India is expected to propel the growth of the Opioid Analgesics Market in the forthcoming years

Category-wise Insights

Why is the Demand for Oxycodone Rising?

Based on drug class, oxycodone is projected to account for a dominant Opioid Analgesics Marketshare of 19.4% in 2021.

Oxycodone is one of the most potent pain relievers available in the Opioid Analgesics Market currently. The drug effectively relieves pain and helps patients to continue their daily tasks. Earlier, oxycodone was not adopted due to unawareness of the constituents and high cost of drugs.

However, rising awareness about the advantages of oxycodone such as more bioavailability is supporting the adoption of the drug.

Usage of Opioid Analgesics for Surgical Pain Relief to Continue Rising

In terms of indication, the surgical pain segment is projected to hold 45.9% of the total Opioid Analgesics Market share due to the rising number of surgical procedures and increasing incidence of associated post-operative pain.

Opioid analgesics are utilized as an effective treatment for pain management after operation or surgery. Increasing adoption of medications for managing and reducing pain is anticipated to propel demand for opioid analgesics over the forecast period.

Sales of Opioid Analgesics through Hospital Pharmacies to Gain Momentum

The hospital pharmacies segment is expected to account for 33.1% of the total Opioid Analgesics Market share in 2021.

Hospitals are considered as major care centres with a strong presence of well–trained staff and professionals that assist patients in effective treatment. Adoption of prescribed therapy in clinics and hospitals aids in supervising drug delivery by a physician. This is one of the key factors driving sales of opioid analgesics through hospital pharmacies.

Competitive Landscape

Key players are focusing on expansion in emerging regions and are launching new and revised products to expand their product portfolios.  Product approvals, agreements, partnerships, facility expansion, and strategic collaborations are expected to assist Opioid Analgesics Market players in gaining a competitive edge. For instance:

• In May 2020, Assertio Therapeutics, Inc. merged with Zyla Life Sciences. The merger allowed the companies to expand their product portfolio of neurology, inflammation and chronic pain medications.
• In September 2021, Bausch Health Companies Inc. and its gastroenterology business, Salix Will Share RELISTOR® (Methylnaltrexone Bromide) Data at PAINWeek 2021. RELISTOR® (methylnaltrexone bromide) is an opioid antagonist. RELISTOR tablets and RELISTOR injection are indicated for the treatment of opioid-induced constipation (OIC) in adults with chronic non-cancer pain.

Similarly, recent developments related to companies manufacturing opioid analgesics have been tracked by the team at Future Market Insights, which are available in the full report.

Report Scope as per Opioid analgesics Industry Analysis

Key Questions Answered in the Report

• How much is the opioid analgesics market currently worth?

  The global opioid analgesics market is anticipated to reach US$ 39.0 Bn in 2021 and is set to expand at 1.7X over the next ten years.

• What is the sales forecast for opioid analgesics through 2031?

  The opioid analgesics market is expected to reach US$ 65.8 Bn by the end of 2031, with sales growing at a 5.4% CAGR.

• At what rate did the opioid analgesics market grow between 2016 and 2020?

  From 2016-2020, the market for opioid analgesics expanded at a steady 4.2%.

• What are the key trends shaping the opioid analgesics market?

  Commercialization of non-abusive opioids, and adoption of opioids maintenance treatment (OMT) to treat opioids dependence (OD), are some of the key trends driving sales of opioid analgesics.

• Which are the top 5 countries driving demand for opioid analgesics?

  The U.S., Canada, Germany, France, and the U.K. are expected to drive demand for opioid analgesics.

• What is the North America market outlook for opioid analgesics?

  North America is one of the key markets for opioid analgesics, with the U.S. expected to account over 80% of the North America market.

• At what rate will demand for opioid analgesics rise in Europe?

  Demand for opioid analgesics in Europe is expected to rise at a steady 5.4% CAGR over the forecast.

• Which countries are key producers of opioid analgesics?

  The U.S., Germany, the U.K., India, and France are key producers of opioid analgesic.

• What are the key market statistics for Korea and Japan?

  Japan opioid analgesics market is expected to grow at a 5.6% CAGR, and South Korea is projected to hold 14.5% of the East Asia market.

Opioid Analgesics Market by Category

By Drug Class:

• Morphine
• Codeine
• Fentanyl
• Meperidine
• Methadone
• Tramadol
• Oxycodone
• Dextromethorphan
• Buprenorphine
• Others

By Indication:

• Surgical Pain
• Cancer Pain
• Neuropathic Pain
• Other

By Route of Administration:

• Oral
• Parenteral
• Transdermal
• Other

By End User:

• Hospitals
• Retail Pharmacies
• Drug Stores
• Online Pharmacies

By Region:

• North America
• Latin America
• Europe
• South Asia
• East Asia
• Oceania
• MEA