The global antibiotics market size was valued at USD 43.56 billion in 2022 and is projected to reach USD 62.54 billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 4.1% during the forecast period (2023–2031).
Antibiotics work against both bacterial and protozoan infections because they are antimicrobial agents. In addition to treating strep throat, they are also effective against infections of the urinary tract, sinuses, lungs, skin, ears, and elsewhere. Antibiotics can be categorized in several ways, the most common of which is according to their chemical structures, activity spectra, and mechanisms of action. Antibiotics belonging to the beta-lactam and beta-lactamase inhibitor classes are in high demand right now among medical professionals. In addition, the prescription patterns for treating bacterial infections are anticipated to shift towards novel therapies due to an increase in antibiotic resistance infections caused by the misuse or overuse of antibiotics.
Strategic plans for cooperative development are now widely used by market participants as a means to share costs. As a result, more molecules should be developed for the antibiotics market. Public-private partnerships can encourage new pipeline products, where public bodies promote funding and novel R&D strategies to antibiotic manufacturers. Antibiotic resistance is on the rise, especially in the case of bacterial infections, rendering the antibiotic or its class ineffective and severely impacting the expansion of the market. Researchers predict that resistance will rise during the forecast period, though the rate may vary by region, patient demographics, and other factors.
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has increased due to the extensive and continuous use of multiple antibacterial drugs, especially broad-spectrum antibiotics. The leading causes of drug-resistant pathogens are the improper and excessive use of antimicrobials. More than 2.8 million antibiotic-resistant infections occur annually in the United States, according to a report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Furthermore, AMR accounts for around 33,000 fatalities annually and costs the healthcare systems of EU/EEA countries around USD 1.1 billion. Because of this, more and more healthcare organizations are launching campaigns to curb the overuse and misuse of antibacterial drugs.
Antibiotics are rapidly growing, and many pharmaceutical companies will conduct ongoing clinical trials to back this trend. During the forecast period, this market is expected to grow thanks to factors such as improvements in antibiotic drugs and novel combination therapies for treating antibiotic-resistant microbial infections. In addition, multiple potential pharmaceutical companies gaining approval from the regulatory authority to manufacture and develop newer antibiotics is a factor that is expected to boost market growth. For instance, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has designated TAXIS Pharmaceuticals, a drug-discovery firm, to study a new class of antibiotic agents to treat serious, drug-resistant bacterial infections.
Study Period | 2019-2031 | CAGR | 4.1% |
Historical Period | 2019-2021 | Forecast Period | 2023-2031 |
Base Year | 2022 | Base Year Market Size | USD 43.56 Billion |
Forecast Year | 2031 | Forecast Year Market Size | USD 62.54 Billion |
Largest Market | North America | Fastest Growing Market | Asia Pacific |
North America is the most significant shareholder in the global antibiotics market and is expected to grow during the forecast period. A more significant percentage of the global population using antibiotics means this area is poised for future growth. Due to its high antibiotic prescription rate, the United States commands the lion's share of the North American antibiotic market. In addition, the falling unemployment rate is expected to boost national healthcare spending, leading to higher per capita outlays over the forecast horizon. According to the same study, roughly 30% of all TB cases in the country were diagnosed in people of Hispanic or Latino origin. As a result, the prevalence of tuberculosis in the country is likely to increase the regional demand for antibiotics, which will fuel the development of the examined market.
Asia-Pacific is expected to grow during the forecast period. Opportunities are expected to be plentiful in the region during the forecast period because of the high prevalence of infectious diseases, the positive effects of regulatory reforms, the rising population and poor sanitation that has led to antibiotic-resistant bacteria, and the high demand for generic drugs. Dengue fever, for instance, has become the region's leading infectious disease and is rapidly spreading throughout Southeast Asia. Several academic institutions have expressed an interest in exploring potential new antibiotic drug classes for treating dengue. Tuberculosis, likewise, is most prevalent in Asia, particularly in countries like India, Japan, and China. Improved availability of modern antibiotics for the treatment of tuberculosis is a primary goal of India's National Tuberculosis Control Program (RNTCP).
The growth of the European antibiotic market can be attributed to several factors, including the rising incidence of infectious diseases and the advent of cutting-edge methods for creating new antibiotics to combat bacterial infections. Given the lack of regulation concerning the acquisition of antibiotics without a prescription and the relatively low prices, the French market held the largest share, accounting for more than one-tenth of the market. The decline in the unemployment rate has also led to an increase in the country's per capita health expenditure, which is expected to continue growing throughout the forecast period. Unrestricted sales and excessive antibiotic consumption are the primary factors driving market expansion in these nations.
During the forecast period, this market is expected to grow thanks to factors such as improvements in antibiotic drugs and novel combination therapies for treating antibiotic-resistant microbial infections. This pattern is consistent with the region's highly regulated healthcare sector and the presence of a robust and technologically advanced medical and healthcare infrastructure. It is predicted that high untapped market potential in nations like Colombia, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, and Peru will present profitable growth prospects for the industry.
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The market is bifurcated into cephalosporin, penicillin, fluoroquinolone, macrolides, carbapenem, aminoglycosides, sulfonamides, and others. The cephalosporin segment is the highest contributor to the market and is expected to grow during the forecast period. These sub-segments are expected to grow during the projected time frame due to the widespread distribution of newly developed pharmaceuticals. Currently, three cephalosporin drugs are in the final stages of clinical trials before they go on the market; all three are expected to do so within the next three to four years. Since cephalosporin antibiotics are effective against gram-positive and gram-negative infections, doctors are increasingly prescribing them to treat a wide variety of conditions, including but not limited to: pneumonia, staph infections, bronchitis, strep throat, tonsillitis, skin infections, and more. Cephalosporin is one of the fastest-growing segments of the antibiotics market because of its versatility as a treatment option and ease of administration (oral or intravenous).
The market is bifurcated into broad-spectrum antibiotics and narrow-spectrum antibiotics. The broad-spectrum antibiotic segment is the highest contributor to the market and is expected to grow during the forecast period. Broad-spectrum antibiotics treat many diseases, assisting in the fight against antimicrobial resistance. Some factors contributing to the expansion of this market include the products' high efficiency, short incubation times, rapid bactericidal activity, lack of resistance to currently used antibiotics, and low likelihood of triggering the evolution of new antibiotic-resistant strains. Due to increased research activity and government support, cell wall synthesis inhibitors are expected to increase over the forecast period. In November 2021, for instance, Cosmo Pharmaceuticals N.V. introduced Aemcolo as an extended-release tablet in the United States for the treatment of Travelers' Diarrhea.