Market Trends of Rheumatoid Arthritis Drugs Industry
The Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) Segment is Expected to Hold a Major Market Share During the Forecast Period
The NSAIDs segment is expected to hold a significant share of the rheumatoid arthritis drugs market during the forecast period. NSAIDs are widely utilized for the symptomatic treatment of rheumatic disorders. Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) are also considered the gold standard for treating moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis. However, DMARDs are used to prevent rheumatoid arthritis from worsening. NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines) are used to treat disease conditions like inflammation to offer symptomatic relief in patients.
The increasing prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis is boosting segment growth. With the growing number of arthritis cases, NSAIDs and their production are expected to observe healthy demand and supply throughout the forecast period. For instance, according to the data published by Monash University’s School of Public Health & Preventive Medicine in February 2024, over 5.3 million Australians are projected to be grappling with the pain and disability associated with arthritis by 2040. This translates to approximately 85,000 new cases emerging each year. Hence, the growing burden of arthritis, including rheumatoid arthritis, is expected to drive the usage of NSAIDs, as these are the first line of treatment for rheumatoid arthritis.
In March 2024, Endo International PLC and Par Pharmaceutical Inc. launched ibuprofen-famotidine 800 mg/26.6 mg tablets, a generic counterpart to Amgen's (previously Horizon Therapeutics) DUEXIS. This combination medication not only alleviates symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis but also mitigates the risk of stomach and upper intestinal ulcers, a common side effect associated with the administration of ibuprofen alone. Thus, owing to the abovementioned factors, such as the growing burden of rheumatoid arthritis and new product launches, the NSAIDS segment is expected to grow further over the forecast period.
North America Expected to Hold a Significant Market Share During the Forecast Period
North America is expected to hold a significant share of the rheumatoid arthritis drugs market and show the same trend over the forecast period. Factors such as the rising prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis, the strong foothold of key market players, the increasing launch of novel therapies such as monoclonal antibodies for rheumatoid arthritis, and rising investments from the market players for the development of novel treatments and biosimilars for this disease are expected to drive the market growth in the region.
The increasing prevalence of arthritis, particularly among older adults, underscores the urgent need for effective drug treatments. This trend is evident in recent statistics from both the United States and Canada. For instance, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in February 2024, 18.9% of adults aged 18 and older were diagnosed with arthritis in 2022 in the United States. The prevalence was higher in women at 21.5%, compared to 16.1% in men. Similarly, according to data published by Statistique Canada in November 2023, the number of people aged 65 and older in 2022 was reported to be 3.17 million compared to 3.13 million in the previous year. Hence, the growing prevalence of arthritis, including rheumatoid arthritis, creates the need for drug treatment.
Furthermore, the new product launches in North America are expected to favor the widespread availability of drugs for rheumatoid arthritis, which is likely to boost the market growth in the region. For instance, in May 2024, Lupin Limited (Lupin), in collaboration with its partner Sandoz Canada (Sandoz), introduced the Rymti biosimilar in Canada. Rymti is approved for treating moderate to severe active rheumatoid arthritis, among other medical conditions. Therefore, owing to the abovementioned factors, such as a surge in arthritis cases and new product launches, the market in North America is expected to grow over the forecast period.
