Rheumatoid Arthritis Market

Market Overview

The global rheumatoid arthritis market size was valued at USD 64.8 billion in 2022 and is projected to reach a value of USD 99.7 million by 2031, registering a CAGR of 4.9% during the forecast period (2023-2031). The rheumatoid arthritis market share is expected to increase throughout the projected period due to driving factors such as increased arthritis prevalence, increased acceptance of biopharmaceuticals, and the presence of well-defined regulatory requirements in developed nations.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune illness affecting the joints, producing inflammation, discomfort, swelling, and stiffness. In contrast to osteoarthritis, a degenerative joint disease, rheumatoid arthritis is caused by the immune system wrongly targeting the synovium—the lining of the membranes surrounding the joints. This immune response causes inflammation, which can damage the joint and cause deformities and functional impairment. The major factors driving growth in the rheumatoid arthritis drugs market are an increase in the prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis, an increase in demand for rheumatoid arthritis drugs, the expiration of patents and the entry of biosimilar drugs, an increase in the geriatric population, an increase in the adoption of conventional DMARDs, and government initiatives to spread awareness of rheumatoid arthritis symptoms.

Furthermore, advancements in sophisticated biologics, increased healthcare expenditure, increased purchasing power, and access to quality pharmaceuticals for poor and middle-class families worldwide are some of the major factors driving the growth of the rheumatoid arthritis market. However, drug side effects and the high costs of biological DMARD therapy are projected to be significant global market limitations. On the contrary, the rise in awareness regarding early screening and treatment of rheumatoid arthritis is expected to provide the market with high development potential throughout the forecast period.

Highlights

• Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs account for the largest market share by drug class.
• Oral holds a significant share by route of administration.
• Prescription-based drugs generate the most revenue by sales channel.
• Asia-Pacific dominates the market by region.

Market Dynamics

Rheumatoid Arthritis Market Drivers

Increasing Prevalence of Rheumatoid Arthritis

The increased global prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis is a significant market driver. As the prevalence of this autoimmune condition rises, so does the demand for appropriate treatments and drugs. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that approximately 18 million individuals worldwide have rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The figure in the United States is about 1.5 million. According to the WHO, over 70% of persons with RA are women, and 55% are over the age of 55. 13 million RA patients have severity levels that could benefit from therapy. The prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis has risen significantly in the last decade. Changes in lifestyle, environmental variables, and genetic predisposition all contribute to the increasing occurrence. Rheumatoid arthritis is more common in particular age groups, with older persons having a higher frequency. Furthermore, women are more likely to contract the condition than men. The age-standardized global prevalence rate was 208.8 cases per 100,000 people, a 14.1% rise since 1990. 

Additionally, Rheumatoid arthritis has a significant impact on the quality of life of those who suffer from it. The disease's chronic nature, combined with discomfort, joint abnormalities, and functional restrictions, emphasizes the need for appropriate treatment techniques. Furthermore, Rheumatoid arthritis places a substantial financial strain on healthcare systems and society. The total economic impact includes direct medical costs such as hospitalizations, prescriptions, and surgeries and indirect costs such as missed productivity. As a result, the rising prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis is a powerful driver of the market trend. 

Rheumatoid Arthritis Market Restraints

High Cost of Treatment

The high prices of rheumatoid arthritis medications, particularly biologics and advanced therapies, are a substantial market restraint. Affordability difficulties can impede access and adherence to these medicines, affecting overall illness management. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) therapies can be costly, with some patients having to pay up to USD 30,000 per year for medicines. Even if they have health insurance, individuals may be required to pay up to 30% of the cost of their medications. For moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis, biologic drugs such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors like adalimumab (Humira) or etanercept (Enbrel) are routinely recommended. A form of specialist medication known as biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic medications (bDMARDs) is the most expensive RA treatment. These drugs are frequently referred to as biologics or biological pharmaceuticals. Infusions for RA can also be costly, with annual expenses ranging from USD 36,663 to USD 46,532 per patient. Patients may face severe financial burdens due to high out-of-pocket expenditures for rheumatoid arthritis therapies, particularly in areas with limited healthcare coverage or high copayments.

Furthermore, access to rheumatoid arthritis therapies is sometimes dependent on insurance coverage. High copayments, deductibles, or limits on particular prescriptions can hamper patients' ability to afford and consistently obtain prescribed therapies. Furthermore, in developing nations where healthcare resources are scarce, the cost of rheumatoid arthritis treatments might be prohibitively expensive. Patients in these areas may have difficulty obtaining and affording necessary medications.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Market Opportunity

Digital Health and Remote Monitoring

Incorporating digital health technologies and remote monitoring systems in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patient care represents a transformative possibility. These technologies improve illness management, treatment adherence, and real-time disease activity monitoring, ultimately optimizing overall healthcare results. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis can use mobile applications to track their symptoms, medication adherence, and overall well-being. These apps frequently contain capabilities for tracking pain, joint stiffness, and weariness. In December 2016, 20 applications for RA patients were identified. Half of these apps merely followed symptoms. Wearable gadgets like fitness trackers or smartwatches can monitor RA patients' physical activity levels. These gadgets provide information about daily activities, exercise routines, and sleep quality. According to a study published in Arthritis Research & Therapy, wearable devices in RA patients allow for continuous physical activity monitoring. The information gathered aided in determining the effect of exercise levels on illness outcomes and quality of life.

Furthermore, Telehealth platforms allow rheumatoid arthritis patients to consult with healthcare specialists remotely. Video conversations, private texting, and virtual appointments make staying in touch and receiving follow-up care easier. A comprehensive evaluation published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research emphasized the efficacy of telehealth treatments in treating rheumatoid arthritis. Telehealth was related to high patient satisfaction, increased access to care, and clinical results comparable to in-person visits.

Regional Analysis

The global rheumatoid arthritis market analysis is conducted in North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East and Africa, and Latin America.

Asia-Pacific Dominates the Global Market

Asia-Pacific is the most significant global rheumatoid arthritis market shareholder and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 4.7% over the forecast period. Asia-Pacific offers lucrative opportunities for key players in the rheumatoid arthritis drugs market, owing to the presence of a large population base susceptible to rheumatoid arthritis, an increase in public awareness about the use and benefits of these drugs, the development of the R&D sector, the rise in healthcare reforms, and an increase in rheumatoid arthritis drug adoption.

Additionally, the rise in the geriatric population and increased demand for DMARDs contribute to market growth. According to the Asian Development Bank, by 2050, one in every four persons in Asia-Pacific will be over 60. The region's older population (those over 60) is expected to quadruple between 2010 and 2050, reaching about 1.3 billion individuals. Furthermore, the increased focus of top manufacturers on expanding their geographical presence in rising Asia-Pacific countries to capture a large portion of the rheumatoid arthritis medications market is likely to boost growth in the area. 

North America is anticipated to exhibit a CAGR of 5.0% over the forecast period. North America will likely maintain its dominant role in the rheumatoid arthritis market over the forecast period, according to rheumatoid arthritis market insights. The increased use of monoclonal antibodies, combined with the high frequency of rheumatoid arthritis, is driving the rheumatoid arthritis medications market statistics in North America. According to the CDC, about 58 million people in the United States have arthritis. According to the Canadian government, around 374,000 Canadians aged 16 and up had rheumatoid arthritis as of September 2020. Teva and Celltrion Healthcare will also introduce TRUXIMA (rituximab-abbs), an injectable for rheumatoid arthritis, in May 2020. In the United States, it is the biosimilar of Rituxan (rituximab) for this use.

Furthermore, the FDA approved Voltaren arthritis pain (diclofenac sodium topical gel, 1% (NSAID)- arthritis pain reliever) as an over-the-counter (OTC) product for the temporary relief of arthritis pain in adults (18 years and older) in the hand, wrist, elbow, foot, ankle, or knee. This will lead to increasing usage of rheumatoid arthritis medications in the US, boosting market growth over the forecast period. 

Europe's rheumatoid arthritis market has a moderate market share due to the availability of treatment facilities, government support for healthcare industry expansion, an aging population, and an increase in rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. The adoption of biosimilars is driving the business in Europe. According to a 2020 poll, 92% of EU practitioners recommended biosimilars to over 25% of rheumatoid arthritis patients. Furthermore, the German rheumatoid arthritis market had the most significant market share, while the U.K. was the fastest-growing market in the European region.

Segmental Analysis

The global rheumatoid arthritis market is segmented based on drug class, route of administration, sales channel, and region.

The market is further segmented by drug class into Disease-modifying Antirheumatic Drugs, Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs, Corticosteroids, and Uric Acid Drugs.

Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs account for the most significant market growth.

Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs

DMARDs are a type of drug that works to alter or delay the course of rheumatoid arthritis. They try to reduce inflammation and prevent joint degeneration by targeting the underlying illness mechanism. The most significant revenue source is disease-modifying antirheumatic medicines (DMARDs), which are expected to expand significantly during the projection period. DMARDs are regarded as the cornerstone of RA treatment, especially in the early and aggressive stages of the illness. They aid in the regulation of symptoms and the prevention of joint injury. The increase in DMARD awareness, the surge in rheumatoid arthritis prevalence, the rise in the obese and overweight population globally, and the increase in DMARDs as a first-line treatment for rheumatoid arthritis are the essential reasons driving sector growth.

Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs

NSAIDs are a type of drug that is used to treat pain and inflammation. They do not change the course of the disease, but they do provide symptomatic relief. NSAIDs reduce the formation of prostaglandins, which are responsible for inflammation and discomfort in the body. NSAIDs are frequently used to treat the pain and inflammation caused by rheumatoid arthritis. They provide temporary relief and can be taken in conjunction with DMARDs.

Based on the route of administration, the market is sub-segmented into Oral and parenteral.

Oral holds a significant market share.

Oral

The delivery of pharmaceuticals by the mouth, often in the form of tablets, capsules, or liquid formulations, is called oral administration. The medication passes through the digestive system and is absorbed into the bloodstream when consumed. Oral administration is uncomplicated, patient-friendly, and appropriate for drugs that can endure digestion. It enables self-administration, which promotes adherence to treatment protocols. However, factors such as diet and gastrointestinal conditions may alter absorption, thereby influencing the constancy of drug levels in the circulation.

Parenteral

Parenteral administration is the administration of drugs by methods other than the digestive tract, most commonly through injections. Injections of this type include intravenous (IV), intramuscular (IM), and subcutaneous (SC). Parenteral methods bypass the digestive system, allowing quick and precise medication delivery into the circulation or specific tissues. This route of administration is frequently used for drugs that require immediate effects, precision dosing, or have low oral bioavailability. While healthcare professionals do most parenteral administration, some forms of parenteral administration, such as self-injections, can be done by patients with proper supervision.

By sales channel, the segment can be further bifurcated into Prescription-based Drugs and over-the-counter Drugs.

Prescription-based drugs generate the most revenue.

Prescription-Based Drugs

Prescription-based drugs require a written or electronic prescription from a licensed healthcare professional, such as a physician or nurse practitioner. Pharmacists often deliver these medications at pharmacies based on the precise prescription issued by the healthcare provider. Prescription medications frequently involve powerful or specialist therapies that demand close monitoring, dosage modifications, and professional supervision. The prescription-based drugs segment is the largest shareholder in the global rheumatoid arthritis drugs market, owing to benefits such as patients receiving the correct dosage during the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis without experiencing any side effects, reducing the potential scope of drug misuse. 

Over-The-Counter Drugs

The OTC medications segment is predicted to grow fastest throughout the forecast period, owing to the convenience of direct purchasing and a surge in OTC drug inventions and improvements. Over-the-counter (OTC) pharmaceuticals are non-prescription medications that customers can purchase directly without a prescription. These medications are typically judged safe for use without direct medical supervision, and their labels include clear self-administration instructions. OTC medications are widely available at drugstores, grocery stores, and convenience shop shelves, making them easily accessible to the general public. They are appropriate for treating mild to moderate health disorders, and individuals can select and acquire them depending on their discretion.

Recent Developments

• December 2023- With the acquisition of RayzeBio, Bristol-Myers Squibb added a premier radiopharmaceutical platform.
• August 2023- Generic Indomethacin suppositories for moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis will be accessible in the United States.