Patient Adoption Of Auto-Injectors By Overall Usage And Medication Type

Overview Of the Autoinjectors Industry

The auto-injectors market size was estimated at USD 9.2 billion in 2024 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 15.1% from 2025 to 2030. The growth is primarily fueled by the rising prevalence of chronic conditions such as diabetes and anaphylaxis, which require convenient and user-friendly drug delivery solutions. According to the International Diabetes Federation, in 2024, approximately 589 million adults aged 20-79 lived with diabetes, representing 11.1% of that population. This number is projected to rise to 853 million by 2050. Over 81% of adults with diabetes reside in low- and middle-income countries. Diabetes caused 3.4 million deaths in 2024 and incurred over USD 1 trillion in health expenditures. Nearly 43% of adults with diabetes remain undiagnosed, mostly in lower-income regions. Increased awareness of the advantages of self-administration, advancements in biologics, and innovations that improve safety and usability are also key drivers. Additionally, supportive government initiatives, growing healthcare spending, and the rising demand for minimally invasive devices are contributing to market expansion. 

Moreover, conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and anaphylaxis require frequent injections, making auto-injectors a preferred option due to their ease of use, accuracy, and patient compliance benefits. The shift towards biologics and biosimilars, particularly in therapeutic areas such as immunology and oncology, is further fueling demand. Biopharmaceutical companies are actively investing in patient-centric drug delivery technologies, ensuring that auto-injectors are compatible with a broader range of formulations. Additionally, the expansion of home-based treatment options and self-administration preferences has further strengthened the adoption of these devices, reducing the burden on healthcare facilities while improving patient outcomes.

A list of auto-injector devices for administering various drugs:

Source: National Library of Medicine 

Innovations Influencing The Adoption Of Auto-Injectors

Innovations in auto-injector technology have significantly influenced patient adoption by addressing common barriers to self-injection. Features such as button-free activation, audible and visual cues enhance ease of use and reduce anxiety, especially among first-time users and needle-phobic patients. The integration of smart technology, including bluetooth connectivity and dose tracking, supports better adherence and allows real-time monitoring by healthcare providers. Additionally, advancements in handling high-viscosity biologics and the development of on-body injectors enable the delivery of complex therapies for chronic conditions in a home setting. These innovations improve user confidence and safety and align with the shift toward home-based care, thereby expanding the overall user base and accelerating the global adoption of auto-injectors.

Country & Modality Scope for the Total Number of Patients that use Auto-Injectors

The report analyses the adoption of auto-injectors for various diseases or conditions such as multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, allergies, diabetes & others based on various modalities in different countries, which include:

Country Scope:

U.S.

The adoption of auto-injectors in the U.S. is driven by the rising prevalence of chronic conditions such as anaphylaxis, rheumatoid arthritis, and multiple sclerosis, which require frequent, patient-administered injections. Similarly, a key factor for rising adoption is also the growing emphasis on at-home care, supported by reimbursement structures favoring self-administration over clinic visits. Regulatory support from the FDA, including streamlined 510(k) pathways for device-drug combination products, has accelerated market entry, which significantly increases the access for patients to a wide range of advanced auto-injectors, increasing their adoption in the U.S.

The most commonly used auto-injector in the U.S. is the GLP-1 weight loss drug auto-injector due to its applicability in obesity and type 2 diabetes management. These auto-injectors simplify the administration of drugs such as semaglutide by enabling once-weekly, subcutaneous self-injection with minimal training, supporting adherence and patient convenience. The devices typically feature prefilled, single-use formats with dose confirmation and hidden needles, reducing user anxiety. Their role in chronic weight management aligns with payer and provider interest in long-term cost savings from obesity-related comorbidity reduction. As obesity prevalence rises and GLP-1 drugs gain clinical validation, these auto-injectors are witnessing a significant rise in demand. For instance, according to the CDC, during the period from August 2021 to August 2023, the prevalence of obesity among adults was 40.3%, with no significant differences observed between women and men; however, the prevalence was higher in adults aged 40 to 59 compared to those aged 20 to 39 and those aged 60 and older.

The chart below indicates the comparative auto-injector patient usage in the U.S. between 2024 & 2030 (Millions of Patients):