Market Trends of Topical Analgesic Industry
Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDS) Under Non-opioids Segment are Expected to Hold Significant Share in the Market Over the Forecast Period
NSAIDs work to reduce pain and inflammation by inhibiting enzymes called cyclooxygenases (COX). Several NSAIDs are available as creams and gels for topical use, known as topical NSAIDs. These agents have been shown to have similar benefits to taking NSAIDs in pill form in osteoarthritis and low back pain. Topical pain medication may be safer than the pill form, which has the common side effect of gastrointestinal discomfort. The rising burden of chronic pain and inflammation caused by various musculoskeletal disorders and rising sports-related injuries is expected to drive high demand for pain relief gel products, likely boosting the market growth.
Sport-related injuries, such as ligament sprains, muscle sprains, tennis elbow, supraspinatus tendinitis, and others, are increasing among young athletes. For instance, according to an article published in Translational Pediatrics in February 2022, it was observed that about 8.6 million athletes suffer from sports-related injuries each year in the United States. Similarly, as per the report published by the National High School Sports-Related Injury Surveillance Study in August 2022, for the academic year 2021/22 in the United States, there were 4,998 injuries reported, with an injury incidence of 2.02 injuries per 1,000 athletes' exposures in the 20 sports. Thus, the high incidence of these sports injuries increases the need for sports pain relief products such as pain relief gel and analgesic cream for immediate relief, which likely propels the market growth over the study period.
The new product launches increase the availability of products to the public, which likely propels market growth. For instance, in December 2022, Lupin Limited launched an authorized generic PENNSAID (Diclofenac Sodium Topical Solution), 2% w/w of Horizon Pharma Therapeutics. This introduction is expected to contribute to the expansion of the diclofenac spray market. Thus, all the abovementioned factors, like new product launches and increasing sport-related injuries, increase the demand for NSAIDs in the topical pain relief market over the forecast period.
North America is Expected to Have the Largest Market Share Over the Forecast Period
North America is estimated to have a major market share due to the rising prevalence of pain-related diseases and disorders such as migraines, musculoskeletal disorders, and neuropathic pain, as well as the rising number of sports-related injuries. In addition, the growing approval of drugs by the drug regulatory and novel product launches by the key market players in the region is further expected to boost the United States topical pain relief market during the study period.
According to the National Safety Council (NSC), in 2021, exercise equipment accounted for about 409,224 injuries in the United States, the most in any sports and recreation category. The injuries caused by bicycles and accessories accounted for 375,797 in 2021. As per the same source, the United States surged 20% in 2021 following a record-low number of sports and recreational injuries reported in 2020. In 2021, 3.2 million people were treated in emergency departments for sports and recreational equipment injuries. Thus, high sports-related injuries are expected to drive the demand for topical pain relievers in the region.
The new product launches increase the availability of products, which is likely to have a significant impact on the market. For instance, in January 2023, Yaral Pharma Inc. launched a diclofenac epolamine topical system 1.3%, the authorized generic of IBSA Pharma's Flector (diclofenac epolamine) topical system in the United States. Such products contribute to the growth of the diclofenac epolamine topical system 1.3 market in the region. These authorized generics are poised to rapidly expand their product line and will likely have significant market growth in the region.
Therefore, owing to the abovementioned factors, the growth of the topical analgesics market in North America is expected to drive over the forecast period.
