Market Trends of Europe, MEA Substance Abuse Treatment Industry
Nicotine Replacement Treatment is Expected to Hold Significant Market Share in the Tobacco/Nicotine Addiction Treatment Segment
- Nicotine replacement therapy is a medically approved method of treating persons who have a tobacco use disorder by administering nicotine via a method other than tobacco. It is used to aid in the cessation of smoking or chewing tobacco. The nicotine replacement therapy segment is expected to hold a significant market share owing to factors such as an increase in tobacco use and a rise in awareness programs demonstrating the outcome of tobacco use.
- For instance, as per the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Global Progress and Projections for Smoking, the age-standardized smoking prevalence among people ages 15 and older in Central Europe was 30% in 2021. Whereas in North Africa and the Middle East, the age-standardized smoking prevalence among people ages 15 and older was 19% in 2021.
- Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) offers nicotine in the form of gum, patches, sprays, inhalers, or lozenges without other harmful chemicals in tobacco. The rise in product approvals and product launches in Europe and the Middle East is likely to drive market growth.
- For instance, in November 2022, Qnovia, Inc., a pharma company developing inhaled therapeutics with an initial focus on nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) and cardiopulmonary diseases, publicized their intention to pursue UK licensing by the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) as a medicine to aid in smoking cessation.
- Thus, due to the increase in tobacco use and a rise in product launches, the studied segment is likely to witness significant growth over the forecast period.
Europe is Anticipated to Hold a Significant Share in the Market Over the Forecast Period
In Europe, the United Kingdom is expected to witness notable market growth owing to the factors such as an increase in the prevalence of drug use, a rise in substance abuse awareness programs, and a surge in drug abuse treatment options across the region.
For instance, as per the Drug Misuse in England and Wales: year ending June 2022, the percentage of adults reporting drug use in the age groups of 16 to 59 years was 9.2%, or roughly 3 million adults, and 16 to 24 years was 18.6% or roughly 1.1 million adults in 2022. Hence, a rise in the utilization of drugs among the UK population increases the demand for deaddiction and treatment, thereby driving the market growth.
Moreover, an increase in awareness programs conducted by government agencies and key players is expected to drive market growth in the United Kingdom. For instance, in October 2022, Action on Addiction conducted its annual awareness week to address the complex causes of addiction and challenge the stigma surrounding it. In 2022, they focused on why addiction awareness matters and how tackling stigma and misunderstanding will help more people and families access the help they need. Hence, such campaigns to educate people regarding the harmful results of drug abuse and addiction are expected to increase the demand for substance abuse treatment over the forecast period. Furthermore, as per the December 2021 update by the Government of the UK, the Government funded GBP 780 million to rebuild the drug treatment system, in which the investment underpins a new ten-year strategy to tackle the scourge of drugs and prevent crime. The strategy also focused on every local authority in England to receive extra funding to combat drug and alcohol misuse over the next three years, with areas in greatest need receiving extra funding first.
Thus, due to the increase in substance use and a rise in awareness programs, the United Kingdom is likely to witness significant growth over the forecast period.
