Local Anesthesia Drugs Market

Market Overview

The global local anesthesia drugs market size was valued at USD 4.2 Billion in 2021 and is anticipated to generate USD 5.72 Billion by 2030. The market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 3.5% during the forecast period (2022–2030).

An anesthetic is a drug used to induce temporary numbness or loss of sensation for diagnostic or surgical procedures. Anesthetics are of two types; general anesthetics and local anesthetics. Combinations of anesthetics are also used owing to their additive effects. The anesthetic effect is generally achieved by suppressing the sensory stimulus in the brain and by blocking the conduction of nerves in the nervous system. Local anesthesia is used to numb a particular area of the body without knocking off the conscious as in general anesthesia.

Market Dynamics

Market Drivers:

• Increase in Surgeries Surging Global Local Anesthesia Drugs Market Growth

The rising number of surgeries, especially due to accidents and chronic ailments like cardiovascular diseases, cancers, and orthopedic disorders, are driving the growth of the local anesthesia drugs market worldwide. In addition, the number of injuries requiring medical attention has also increased. As per the data published by the National Safety Council of the United States, about 4.4 million people were injured seriously enough to require medical attention in crashes in 2019.

Also, as per the American Joint Replacement Registry's Annual Report 2020, 1,897,050 primary and revision hip and knee arthroplasty procedures were performed between 2012 and 2019 in the United States. 995,410 total knee replacements and 625,097 total hip replacements were also performed in 2012-2019 in the United States.

Additionally, the number of cesarean deliveries is on the rise all over the globe, which is also expected to drive market growth. Bupivacaine is the most common local anesthetic used in spinal anesthesia for cesarean delivery. Hence, the increasing trend of C-sections worldwide is boosting the demand for local anesthetic drugs. Hence, the increasing number of surgeries and increasing demand for local anesthetic drugs are expected to drive market growth over the forecast period.

• Approval of Upcoming Anesthetics Boosting Market Growth

Accelerating research and development investments in the identification and development of new local anesthetic drugs and subsequent new product approvals by regulatory bodies is expected to be one of the major factors for the growth of the market in the coming years.

In August 2020, Amneal Pharmaceuticals Inc. received the Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for a generic version of Lidocaine Patch 5%. Lidocaine Patch 5% is the generic version of Lidoderm Patch 5% for treating the pain associated with post-herpetic neuralgia. Furthermore, in November 2020, Pacira BioSciences Inc. announced that the European Commission granted marketing authorization for EXPAREL, a bupivacaine liposome injectable suspension indicated for single-dose infiltration in adults to produce local post-surgical analgesia and as interscalene brachial plexus nerve block to produce regional post-surgical analgesia.

Additionally, in December 2020, Hikma Pharmaceuticals PLC launched Ropivacaine HCl Injection, USP 40mg/20mL, in the United States through its US affiliate Hikma Pharmaceuticals USA Inc. Therefore, the new approvals for local anesthetic drugs and frequent product launches boost the demand for drugs, increase R&D programs and funding, and propel market growth over the forecast period.

Market Restraints

• Adverse Effects of Anesthetic Drugs Restricting Market Growth

The side effects of local anesthetic drugs during and after surgery are predicted to restrain the market growth in the future. Common side effects observed are ringing in the ears, dizziness, numbness, twitching, and a metallic taste. In extreme cases, it can cause seizures, low blood pressure, slowed heart rate, and breathing problems. Most people will not experience any long-term side effects. However, geriatric populations are more prone to side effects that last longer than a few days.

Side effects are high if the patient has certain pre-existing conditions such as reactions to anesthesia, sleep apnea, seizures, obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, lung disease, kidney disease, or drug allergies. Additionally, side effects such as nausea, vomiting, pruritus, urinary retention, sedation, and delayed respiratory depression can occur. Unintended intraoperative awareness is another consequence, in rare cases where patients report a state of awareness during the surgery, after the point where the anesthetic should cause numbness or no sensation. Some patients are conscious during the procedure, and some may even feel pain.

Moreover, according to the research article published in Anais Brasileiros De Dermatologia in 2020, local anesthetics prevent nerve depolarization and could cause systemic toxicity with reflex on the central nervous and cardiovascular systems, which is a serious adverse reaction. The anaphylactic reaction is the most pertaining risk. The analgesic effect of a nerve block with local anesthetic drugs lasts only a few hours.

Thus, after the surgery, patients may suffer from pain. The duration of action of these drugs can be prolonged both by increasing the dose and by a continuous infusion of the drug, leading to dose-dependent effects on the cardiovascular system and/or central nervous system (CNS). Therefore, these complications linked with the use of local anesthetic drugs are anticipated to hinder the growth of the market.

What Are Future Key Opportunities in Local Anesthesia Drugs Market?

• Increasing Technological Advancements Creating New Growth Avenues

The surging number of surgical procedures globally is predicted to drive the overall growth of the local anesthesia drugs market during the forecast period. There are innovative and technological advancements in local anesthetics, which accelerate the market growth. However, the future of the local anesthesia drugs market is challenging owing to stagnant reimbursement procedures, the command for safety and quality, and claims on the evidence to drive the practice. As per the research article published in the Journal of Anesthesia 2019, the emergence of ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia has soared rapid growth in various nerve block techniques, with for inter fascial plane blocks.

However, only several anesthetists may know these novel blocks, while the remainder may see regional anesthesia becoming too complex and intimidating. Hence, training sessions for the anesthetists will be required, playing a fundamental role in enhancing the use of local anesthetic drugs in the future. Furthermore, according to the research article published in the Saudi Journal of Anesthesia, 2020, adjuvants to local anesthetics are budding in anesthesiology, where newer agents and techniques are added to develop the efficacy and safety of analgesia used. Research continues on agents capable of prolonging the effect of local anesthetics without neurotoxicity or deleterious effects.

Robotic anesthesia has attracted many manufacturers due to its potential to deliver manual gestures with precision. The increasing number of clinical trials related to the local anesthetic drug is anticipated to drive the market growth, as successful results from these studies could inflate the availability of local anesthetics for multiple indications. Therefore, due to the modernization, advancements, and advantages of the local anesthesia drugs, the market is anticipated to experience momentous growth in the future.

Regional Analysis

North America is the Largest Revenue Holder in Global Market

Based on region, the global local anesthetic drugs market share is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, South America, and Middle-East & Africa. North America is anticipated to hold the largest market share of local anesthetic drugs during the forecast period. The major factors contributing to the rising market share are the sudden increase in the number of surgeries conducted, the increasing old age population, and the increasing number of people with chronic health conditions. The US is the largest contributor to the market compared to other countries. Canada and Mexico are growing their market gradually.

Europe is the second contributor to the local anesthesia drugs market. Owing to an increase in dental procedures, advancements in medical science, number of surgeries related to cardiovascular ailments, orthopedics, hernia, and other ailments, the market for anesthetic drugs is anticipated to grow exponentially in this region. Germany and the UK have more market revenue compared to Italy and France. 

The local anesthetic drugs market in Asia-Pacific is expected to witness steady growth during forecast period. The increasing cases of chronic diseases, the rising number of surgical approaches, load of the aging population, and related diseases increasing the procurement of local anesthetics for surgery and management of postoperative pain are the factors expected to drive the market growth. China and Japan held the major market share in this region.

Segmental Analysis

The global local anesthesia drugs market share is categorized by drug type and mode of administration.

Based on the drug type, lidocaine is the major shareholder in the global local anesthesia drugs market. Lidocaine is an amide-based local anesthetic, mostly used in treating ventricular tachycardia and nerve blocks. It is a local anesthetic drug that works by temporary numbing /loss of feeling in the skin and mucous membranes. The drug starts to work within 90 seconds, and the effects last for about 20 minutes. 

By the mode of administration, global local anesthesia drugs market is segmented as injectable and surface anesthetic. Injectable anesthetics are administered into the body generally for local anesthesia. In this mode of administration, the side effect of post-operative nausea and vomiting (PONV) that causes internal bleeding and prolonged post-operative hospital admission due to the inhalation of anesthesia can be reduced. Owing to this, the demand for local or regional anesthesia is increasing, leading to rising demand for injectable anesthetics. 

Recent Developments

• In December 2020, Hikma Pharmaceuticals PLC Ropivacaine HCl Injection, USP 40mg/20mL in the United States indicated the production of local or regional anesthesia for surgery and acute pain management through its US affiliate Hikma Pharmaceuticals USA Inc.
• In November 2020, Pfizer announced the completion of merging its Upjohn business with Mylan N.V. to form Viatris Inc., where Pfizer would hold 57% of the shares of the company.
• In August 2020, Teva Pharmaceuticals announced a strategic partnership with a biopharmaceutical company called Alvotech for the commercialization of five biosimilar products in the United States.
• In August 2020, B. Braun and Royal Philips announced that their Onvision needle tip tracking technology for regional anesthesia got the 501(k) clearance from the United States Food and Drug Administration.
• In January 2020, Pacira BioSciences announced a collaboration with Envision Physician Services to train anesthesiology clinicians on ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia techniques.
• In June 2019, Fresenius Medical Care announced the acquisition of NxStage Medical, Inc. after approval from authorities in the United States.
• In February 2019, Glenmark announced the spin-off of its innovative business into a new company in the United States after the approval from its Board of Directors.