Pain Management Drugs Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Drug Class (NSAIDS, Anesthetics, Anticonvulsants, Antimigraine Agents, Antidepressants, Opioids, Nonnarcotic Analgesics), By Pain type (Chronic pain, Acute pain), By Indication (Arthritic Pain, Neuropathic Pain, Cancer Pain, Chronic Back Pain, Postoperative Pain, Migraine, Fibromyalgia, Bone fracture, Muscle sprain/strain, Acute appendicitis, Others) and By Region(North America, Europe, APAC, Middle East and Africa, LATAM) Forecasts, 2023-2031

Market Overview

Market Dynamics

What are the factors driving the market growth?

A Rise in Incidences of Chronic Diseases

High prevalence of chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, type II diabetes, and cancer drive the pain management drugs market. For instance, chronic diseases such as cancer are becoming more prevalent. According to the National Cancer Institute, between 20 and 50 percent of cancer patients experience pain. Approximately 80% of cancer patients in advanced stages experience moderate to severe pain. Moreover, in 2019, the American Cancer Society, Inc. estimated 1,688,780 new cancer cases diagnosed in the U.S. Therefore, an increase in the number of such diseases is expected to increase the demand for medicinal pain products globally and thus drive the market growth.

Favorable Regulatory Scenario

Increase in understanding regarding the side effects of pain medication such as habit-forming and nausea, and a rise in demand for pain relief, there is an increase in demand for prescription drugs with fewer side effects. Governments have promoted R&D activities to develop novel drugs with fewer side effects. Regulatory authorities designate certain rapid-track production drugs to speed up regulatory approvals and market entry processes. For instance, Tanezumab, developed by Pfizer and Eli Lilly and Company, received fast-track designation from FDA on June 2017. This drug was developed to treat chronic pain in patients with osteoarthritis and chronic low back pain.

What are the factors restraining the market growth?

Availability of Alternative Therapies

There are many commonly used alternative treatments for pain management namely acupuncture, pain management devices, exercise, and chiropractic manipulation. There is an increase in R&D for producing various non-pharmacological methods to alleviate pain, owing to the rise in the prevalence of pain disorders worldwide and increased opioid misuse. Non-pharmacological techniques, including acupuncture, and various medical devices, such as ablation devices, are widely gaining popularity in the industry. Moreover, many new devices are introduced into the market that could help relieve pain. In recent times, these alternative treatments have gained popularity as they cause fewer side effects and are more effective at alleviating pain than medications. Thus, the advent of these advanced alternative therapies reduces the use of pain pharmaceutical products, which impedes market growth.

What are the future opportunities for pain management drugs?

Untapped Markets in Developing Economies

Healthcare systems in developing countries such as Brazil, India, and China have experienced a significant increase in investments in healthcare and infrastructure. It is expected that the pressure of the rise in the aged population, growth in the number of chronic diseases, and growth in the need for effective pain treatment will increase demand for pain relief medications over the next few years. In addition, emerging nations need to focus on cost-effectiveness and scalability to cater to the needs of the rising patient pool. In January 2017, the World Economic Forum, in its project paper, Health Systems Advancing in Emerging Economies, stated that one-third of the global health expenditure would be focused on providing healthcare services in emerging markets by 2023. It also stated that healthcare spending would continue to increase in India and China in line with the economic growth in these nations. Furthermore, these nations are expected to become major markets for pain medication manufacturers and distributors.

Regional Analysis

The market for pain management drugs is segmented into four regions: North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and LAMEA.

North America dominates the market

North America dominates the market, registering a CAGR of 3.5%. High consumption of pain medication is a major factor in the market growth in North America. As per the National Institute on Drug Abuse, almost 1.7 people in the U.S. used opioids for pain management in 2019. Favorable healthcare reforms such as the U.S. Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 also help to improve the affordability of medications and increase the use of these medications for the treatment of various painful conditions in the region. In addition, a large patient population suffering from pain also boosts the market growth. A rise in the number of drug abuse cases and the addictive nature of opioids has decreased the use number of prescriptions of opioids in the region, leading to declining opioid consumption for pain management. Government initiatives and support to reduce the use of opioid medication for pain management have led to an increase in R&D for the development of non-opioid medicines.

Europe is among the major contributors to the global pain management drugs market growth. The region is growing with a CAGR of 3.9%, owing to the presence of a large patient population base. The rise in demand for pain relieving medicines in Europe has led to the acquisitions of drug manufacturing companies. GlaxoSmithKline acquired the consumer health business of Pfizer on 10 July January 2019. The acquired topical pain management business of Pfizer was carried out under the ThermaCare brand.

Asia-Pacific is the fastest-growing segment in the global pain management drugs market share, registering a CAGR of 4.5%. This is mainly attributable to a larger patient pool and an increased healthcare expenditure in the region. Japan is the largest contributor to the Asia-Pacific market. China and India are among the region's fastest-growing pain management drugs markets. According to data published by NCBI (National Center for Biotechnology Information), around 22.3% of people in India were dependent on opioids. It is estimated that, presently, India has about 4 million people who use opioids and around 1 million who are opioid dependent. Thus, an increase in the number of people using opioids is expected to raise the demand for pain medication in the region, which, in turn, drives market growth. Soaring cancer rates and an aging population have led to government initiatives to improve the accessibility of pain medication in developing countries such as China and India. This has led to a rise in the use of pain medication in the region.

LAMEA is the second fastest-growing segment in the market. Brazil emerged as a regional powerhouse, which made the entire region more attractive. The emerging market players of pain management drugs are investing in this region, owing to the increase in the geriatric population and the prevalence of numerous types of chronic diseases. Governments have also increased investments in pharmaceuticals and diagnostic sectors to attract major players to expand their business in this region.

Segmental Analysis

The global pain management drugs market is segmented based on drug class, indication, and pain type.

Based on drug class, the market is categorized into nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), opioids, anesthetics, anticonvulsants, antimigraine agents, antidepressants, and nonnarcotic analgesics.

The opioids segment is the highest contributor and is growing with a CAGR of 3.1%. Opioids occur naturally in the opium poppy plant and function in the brain to produce various effects, including pain relief for a number of these drugs. Such medications are mainly used for pain control and affect opioid receptors, which are unique proteins found in the central and peripheral nervous system and gastrointestinal tract on the surface of cells.

Based on indication, the market is segmented into arthritic pain, neuropathic pain, chronic back pain, cancer pain, postoperative pain, migraine, fibromyalgia, bone fracture, muscle sprain, acute appendicitis, and others.

The neuropathic pain segment dominates the market and is expected to register a CAGR of 4.4%. Neuropathic pain is usually caused due to damage or disease that has affected the somatosensory nervous system. This type of pain may be either related to abnormal sensations called dysesthesia or pain or to continuous and paroxysmal components. Common symptoms include burning or coldness, "pins and needles," numbness, and itching. Opioids, NSAIDS, anticonvulsants, and antidepressants are some common medications used for neuropathic pain control.

Based on pain type, the market is segmented into chronic and acute pain.

The chronic pain segment dominates the market, registering a CAGR of 3.9%. Chronic pain is persistent, typically longer-lasting pain that can last more than six months. This type of pain can persist even after the underlying injury or illness has healed. Some individuals experience chronic pain despite the absence of a previous injury or obvious body damage. Chronic pain is associated with headaches, arthritis, cancer, nerve pain, and back pain, among other conditions. Chronic pain is treated with over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like aspirin or ibuprofen; opioid pain relievers like morphine, codeine, and hydrocodone; and adjuvant analgesics like antidepressants and anticonvulsants.

Recent Developments

• December 2022- Tris Pharma, Inc., a fully integrated, innovation-driven CNS company with a robust portfolio of FDA-approved products and a pipeline of treatments for pain, addiction, spasticity, and narcolepsy, acquired the rights to TRN-261, a non-opioid drug candidate that Tris plans to develop for multiple indications in acute and chronic pain.
• May 2021- Allay Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biotechnology company pioneering ultra-sustained analgesic products to transform post-surgical pain management and recovery, announced the first clinical data demonstrating non-opioid pain relief lasting two weeks after a single administration.