Opioids Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Product, By Application (Pain Relief, Anesthesia, Cough Suppression, Diarrhea Suppression, Deaddiction), By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2018 - 2025

 Industry Insights

The global opioids market size was valued at USD 22.96 billion in 2016 and is projected to expand at a CAGR of 4.8% during the forecast period. Rising prevalence of diseases that cause chronic pain, such as cancer, lower back pain, postsurgical pain, arthritis, and fibromyalgia, is driving growth.

Increasing usage of opioids in non-cancer conditions and favorable reimbursement policies for palliative care in developed regions are some factors also promoting growth. Along with analgesic use, they are widely used as antidiarrheal medicines and as cough suppressants. The application of opioids also extend to anesthetics, which increases their market value.

According to a U.S. Census Bureau report titled “An Aging World 2015”, among 7.3 billion people worldwide, a projected 617.1 million or 8.5% were aged 65 or older. In just 15 years, the elderly population is estimated to increase by more than 60.0%. Increasing geriatric population is fueling the prevalence of diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and cancer.

Furthermore, rise in number of home healthcare services and palliative care centers is expected to drive demand. Significant growth in trauma and road accidents, coupled with constantly increasing number of surgical procedures, is also propelling demand for opioid-based pain management solutions.

The market is being strictly regulated by U.S. FDA, due to substantial number of deaths registered in the country owing to drug abuse. The FDA has released specific guidelines to manufacture, market, store, and sell opioid products. For instance, removal of OTC cough syrup containing opioids is a result of guidelines set by the regulatory body. In addition, prescription of opioids by healthcare professionals is being highly regulated. Furthermore, the FDA recommends use of NSAIDs over opioids for pain management.

Long-term use of opioids can cause drug dependency and addiction and increase in drug abuse is resulting in high death rates. For instance, according to the American Society of Addiction Medicine, in 2014, around 18,893 people died from drug overdose and approximately 10,574 deaths were reported because of heroin overdose.

In 2014, it was reported that more than six out of 10 deaths are due to opioids overdose, which included heroin and opioid pain relievers. The highest deaths were observed due to synthetic opioids, which included 5,500 deaths in 2014. Considering the high death rate associated with opioid dependency and abuse, governments in U.S. and other countries advocate against the use of these substances.

Product Insights

Based on product, the opioids market is categorized into immediate-release and extended-release. Extended-release was the largest segment in 2016 and is expected to be the fastest growing segment as well over the forecast period. This is owing to development of innovative dose dispensers, such as transdermal patches, and high usage of these substances for chronic pain management.

The revenue share of immediate-release opioids, including codeine, morphine, hydromorphone, and oxymorphone, is expected to decline owing to severe adverse effects and frequent product recalls.

Application Insights

Based on application, the global market for opioids is segmented into pain relief, anesthesia, cough suppression, diarrhea suppression, and deaddiction. In 2016, the pain relief segment dominated the market mainly due to high usage of opioids in pain management therapies.

The segment is expected to retain its lead throughout the forecast period owing to factors such as development of combination drug therapies that deliver enhanced synergistic effect and are safe. Anesthesia is expected to be the fastest growing segment during the forecast period due to factors such as safety and high drug efficacy.

Regional Insights

North America is leading the market with a share of over 56.0% in 2016. One of the major reasons for its continued dominance is rising geriatric population with terminal conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis. In addition, increasing adoption of opioids for pain management related to trauma and injury in severe and chronic disabling diseases and in cases of postsurgical pain is driving market growth in North America.

Asia Pacific is expected to witness fastest growth in the coming years owing to rising geriatric population base, coupled with increasing focus on palliative care. In addition, need for improved infrastructure and rise in healthcare expenditure are expected to drive the market. Moreover, high unmet clinical needs and government initiatives to raise awareness regarding good pain management is expected to drive the market.

Opioids Market Share Insights

Some of the key market players are Purdue Pharma L.P.; West-Ward Pharmaceuticals Corporation; Allergan; Pfizer, Inc.; Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; Egalet Corporation; and Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Limited. Key players are focusing on expanding their business in different regions to increase their market share. For instance, Purdue Pharma is making inroads in Asia, Latin America, and Middle East and Africa

Report Scope

Segments Covered in the Report

This report forecasts revenue growth at global, regional, and country levels and provides an analysis of latest industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2014 to 2025. For the purpose of this study, Grand View Research has segmented the global opioids market report on the basis of product, application, and region:

• Product Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2014 - 2025)

  • Immediate-Release/Short-Acting Opioid

    •  Codeine

    •  Oxycodone

    •  Hydrocodone

    •  Fentanyl

    •  Morphine

    •  Hydroxymorphone

    •  Oxymorphone

    •  Propoxyphene

    • Other IR

  • Extended-Release/Long-Acting Opioid

    •  Oxycodone

    •  Hydrocodone

    •  Methadone

    •  Fentanyl

    •  Morphine

    •  Oxymorphone

    •  Tapentadol

    •  Buprenorphine

    •  Hydromorphone

    • Other ER

• Application Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2014 - 2025)

  • Pain Relief

    • Cancer painLow-back pain

    • Postoperative pain management

    • Orthopedic

    • Neuropathic pain

    • Fibromyalgia

  • Anesthesia

  • Cough Suppression

  • Diarrhea Suppression

  • Deaddiction

• Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2014 - 2025)

  • North America

    • Canada

    • U.S.

  • Europe

    • U.K.

    • Germany

  • Asia Pacific

    •  Japan

    •  China

    • India

  • Latin America

    •  Brazil

    • Mexico

  • Middle East & Africa

    • South Africa