Pain Management Market

Market Overview

The global pain management market size was valued at USD 62 Billion in 2022. It is estimated to reach USD 159 Billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 5.3% during the forecast period (2023–2031). Advancements in technology and context have led to significant changes in the appearance and functionality of pain management devices. Despite these changes, the original features that guided the initial development of these devices are retained. This evolution addresses the increasing demand for long-term pain management, particularly among the geriatric population. Factors such as 

Pain management, also known as pain relief, analgesia, and pain control, is a medical specialty concerned with alleviating pain of varying degrees and duration, from the immediate to the chronic. Most doctors and healthcare professionals include pain relief in their standard of treatment. They also seek the aid of a medical specialty known as pain medicine, which focuses on treating pain, for more complex pain cases.

A multidisciplinary approach to pain management is frequently used to lessen suffering and enhance the quality of life for anyone dealing with pain, whether it be acute or chronic. Analgesia generally reduces pain and frequently only addresses acute pain; chronic pain management calls for other considerations. Effective pain management does not necessarily entail complete pain removal. Instead, it frequently refers to reaching a sufficient quality of life while experiencing pain, which can be accomplished in various ways, including reducing the pain, comprehending it better, and living joyfully despite it.

Market Dynamics

Pain Management Market Drivers

Increasing Demand for Long-Term Pain Management Among the Geriatric Population

The aged population is more likely to have arthritis, bone and joint disorders, cancer, and other chronic disorders, which are most frequently associated with prolonged pain in this population. This is anticipated to cause a rise in demand for drugs and devices for managing pain in the elderly population. For instance, according to the study titled "Deficits in pain medication in older adults with chronic pain receiving home care: A cross-sectional study in Germany," published in February 2020, the most frequently prescribed medication for pain was observed to be dipyrone, opioids, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in the patients aged 65 and above in Germany.

Additionally, per a January 2021 published article titled "Analgesic purchases among older adults – a population-based study," out of 1,420 participants, 84% had purchased prescription analgesics for one year. The study also reports that NSAIDs were most frequently purchased (77%), while 41% had purchased paracetamol, 32% opioids, 17% gabapentinoids, and 7% tricyclic anti-depressants. Therefore, these studies indicate that the geriatric population has a significant demand for pain medications, contributing to market growth.

Proven Efficacy of Pain Management Devices for the Treatment of Chronic Pain

Chronic diseases are the most prevalent health conditions and are likely associated with pain, which is expected to drive the market. Chronic diseases include cancer, diabetes, musculoskeletal conditions, arthritis, etc. The increasing burden of chronic disorders led several market players to develop effective and innovative products. Therefore, the proven efficacy of pain management devices drives the demand for pain management, thereby contributing to market growth.

For instance, according to an April 2021 article titled "The Analgesic Efficacy of a Bioelectronic Device for Chronic Non-Specific Low Back Pain with Neuropathic Component. Randomized Study "Low energy pulsed electromagnetic signals (PEMS) therapy decreased pain intensity in neuropathic chronic low-back pain patients. Due to the high prevalence and poor therapeutic control of this condition, the findings of this study may provide significant health and economic benefits. As a result, the pain management industry is anticipated to expand over the projected period.

Pain Management Market Restraint

Lack of Awareness About the Availability and Use of Pain Management Devices

Lack of proper conceptions of safety, like concerns about addiction to opioids and lack of awareness about their effectiveness for pain relief, has resulted in little demand for these medicines in Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Middle East and Africa. A recent research study, "Awareness, attitude, and Knowledge about pain clinics among general practitioners in Nagpur City," published in 2018, showed. However, general practitioners in Nagpur (India) are aware of the pain clinics but are unwilling to refer patients to them, owing to limited knowledge about pain physicians and procedures performed at pain clinics and their efficacy and safety. Due to the scarcity of proper education and training among health care professionals and lack of awareness among the population of India, there is a misuse of painkillers resulting in the high incidence of complications like kidney failure, gastritis, and other complications like bone marrow depression. This hinders the growth of the market.

Pain Management Market Opportunities

Development of Novel Pain Management Devices and Techniques

The technological and contextual advancements have resulted in significant changes in the appearance and the expected functionality of the pain management devices while retaining the original features that have guided the first exponents of these pain management devices. This innovation stage in developing these devices has reached its zenith, utilizing all technological means to increase the value of these products. For instance, in August 2020, OSKA Wellness, a global leader in non-drug invasive pain management devices, introduced PEMF (Pulsed-Electromagnetic-Field-Therapy) technology-enabled products in India. It is one of the breakthrough technologies in the country devised for treating people suffering from muscular pain, low back pain, joint pain, knee pain, etc., which is non-invasive, ensuring patient safety.

Similarly, in November 2020, Abbott introduced IonicRF Generator in the United States, a radiofrequency ablation device that utilizes heat to target specific nerves and prevent pain signals from reaching the brain. Hence, the development of all these types of novel pain management devices and the approval for using them in clinical practice have created opportunities for pain management market growth.

Regional Analysis

Based on region, the global pain management market share is bifurcated into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, South America, and the Middle East and Africa.

North America Dominates the Global Market

North America's pain management market share is anticipated to exhibit a CAGR of 7.17% during the forecast period. The pain management market is dominated by North America, with the U.S. accounting for most of its revenue. Due to factors like the aging population's growing need for long-term pain management and developments in the field of pain management, the regional market is expected to grow. Furthermore, according to PubMed data from 2022, people are becoming more likely to experience chronic pain. In the region, one in five persons has chronic pain each year. Since chronic pain is one of the most common ailments in the U.S., there is a growing need for therapy. Additionally, long-term opioid therapy and the use of steroids during interventional pain procedures may result in immune suppression, which is important because it lessens the body's capacity to fight off a variety of viral infections, as per the American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine's (ASRA) recommendations. Therefore, the factors above are anticipated to increase the demand for pain management devices and medications over the forecast period.

Europe femtech industry is estimated to exhibit a CAGR of 7.27% over the forecast period. Due to the rising prevalence of chronic pain diseases, joint surgeries, rising healthcare awareness, and the rising elderly population, Europe has a strong base of international enterprises developing goods. According to the Germany Federal Statistical Office 2020 estimate, 16.2 million people in the population are over 67, and by 2040, that figure is expected to rise to 21.4 million. In addition, the market is being pushed by the aging population, which is more exposed to pain disorders. Furthermore, the market is anticipated to grow due to the increase in new products being introduced for pain management. For instance, Teva introduced AJOVY, an autoinjector device, to the German market in March 2020. The first and only anti-CGRP (Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide) therapeutic for the treatment of migraine prophylaxis is the humanized monoclonal antibody AJOVY (fremanezumab-vfrm).

Additionally, the regional market's growth is anticipated to be driven by the fundraising efforts of medtech startups there to develop pain management devices. For instance, Remedee Laboratories, a French medical technology firm creating a ground-breaking electronic pain therapy, announced in November 2019 that it had won USD 12 million to prove an electric, drug-free method of pain management.

The Asia-Pacific market is expected to register the highest growth rate. China is the leading revenue contributor in this region. The increasing cases of chronic diseases, increased demand for pain management solutions, such as muscle and nerve stimulators, and rising product launches augment the Chinese pain management market growth. In January 2022, Jiangsu Nhwa Pharmaceutical, a Trevena partner, submitted a New Drug Application in China for OLINVYK to China's National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) which has accepted oliceridine injections New Drug Application (NDA) for the treatment of the management of acute pain. The rise in product launches in China for pain management will lead to increased adoption, driving market growth.

Additionally, the pandemic highlighted the need for pain management solutions among COVID-19 patients, as COVID-19 is associated with myalgias, referred pain, and widespread hyperalgesia. Therefore, market players adopt various marketing strategies to gain a higher share of the Chinese pain management market and expand their geographic presence.

The South American market is further bifurcated into, Argentina, Brazil, and the rest of South America. Brazil dominates the market owing to the factors such as a rising prevalence of pain, a rise in the elderly population, a rise in chronic diseases, and the adoption of analgesics, among others. According to the analysis published in PLoS One, titled 'Analgesic Use among the Brazilian Population: Results from the National Survey on Access, Use, and Promotion of Rational Use of Medicines (PNAUM), in March 2019, one in every five Brazilians used analgesics to treat acute health concerns like pain, especially non-opioid analgesics. The rising consumption of analgesics in Brazil is expected to propel the market growth.

Segmental Analysis

The global pain management market is segmented by mode of pain management and application.

Based on the mode of pain management, the global market is bifurcated into drugs and devices. 

The drugs segment dominates the global market and is projected to exhibit a CAGR of 6.93% over the forecast period. The drugs segment is further sub-segmented into opioids and non-narcotic analgesics. Opioids are a group of medications mostly used for anesthesia and pain management. Opioids are considered some of the most effective drugs for pain management. Furthermore, it is common practice in most of the world for them to be used in managing severe pain and chronic pain connected to advanced medical illnesses. The rising occurrence of orthopedic disorders is the primary factor responsible for segment growth.

Furthermore, the non-narcotic analgesics segment is divided into non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, anesthetics, anticonvulsants, and anti-depressants. The non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs dominated the non-narcotic analgesics segment. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) is a simple analgesic medication used for a range of indications, such as inflammatory conditions, chronic joint diseases, musculoskeletal pain, headache, menstrual pain, dental pain, and perioperative mild to moderate pain (reducing opioid consumption and side effects), among others.

The devices segment is further bifurcated into neurostimulation devices and analgesic infusion pumps. The neurostimulation devices are further sub-sub-segmented into transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation devices and brain and spinal cord stimulation devices. Low-voltage electric currents relieve pain in transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) therapy. The current is delivered by a tiny device at or close to nerves. In addition, TENS therapy reduces or modifies how pain is perceived. The effectiveness of TENS therapy is supporting the expansion of the market. An implanted spinal cord stimulator delivers low-voltage electricity to the spinal cord to alleviate pain. In order to provide electrical signals to the parts of the brain that regulate movement, emotion, pain, weight, and obsessive-compulsive thinking, deep brain stimulation (DBS) uses a device known as a neurostimulator. The analgesics infusion pumps are sub-sub-segmented by intrathecal and external infusion pumps.

Based on application, the global market is segmented into neuropathic pain, cancer pain, facial pain and migraine, musculoskeletal pain, and others. 

The cancer pain segment owns the highest market share and is anticipated to exhibit a CAGR of 7.13% during the forecast period. Pain in cancer occurs most when a tumor presses onto the bones, nerves, or organs. Pain caused by cancer can be treated. Drugs such as Opioids, Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, among others, help relieve cancer pain. Many pain medications are used for pain management in cancer patients. Healthcare professionals may recommend non-drug treatments for managing pain during cancer in addition to pain medication. For instance, many companies are developing products that relieve pain during cancer treatment.

The term "neuropathic pain" describes pain brought on by conditions that impair the somatosensory nervous system. The disease is relatively common but often poorly treated. In addition, neuropathic pain is a painful condition, usually caused by chronic, progressive nerve diseases, and sometimes it can occur due to injury or infection. As per a December 2021 report from the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), 643 million people will have diabetes worldwide by 2030 and 783 million by 2045. Currently, 537 million adults (20-79 years old) live with the disease. Therefore, diabetes results in pain in some cases of diabetic neuropathy; the increasing cases of diabetes will contribute to the rising demand for pain management therapy drugs and devices.

Recent Developments

• February 2023- Aurobindo Pharma announced that its step-down subsidiary Aurolife Pharma LLC had received final approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to produce and market Diclofenac Sodium Topical Solution USP, 2% w/w, which is indicated for the treatment of knee pain caused by osteoarthritis.

• March 2023- Scilex Holding Company announced a territory distribution agreement for ZTlido® in the Middle East and North Africa with a minimum purchase commitment of USD 105 million over five years. Scilex has the opportunity to diversify its portfolio of non-opioid pain management products.