Rheumatoid Arthritis Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Drug Class (Disease-modifying Antirheumatic Drugs (DMARDs), Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs), Corticosteroids, Uric Acid Drugs), By Route of Administration (Oral, Parental), By Sales Channel (Prescription-based Drugs, Over-the-counter Drugs) and By Region(North America, Europe, APAC, Middle East and Africa, LATAM) Forecasts, 2024-2032

Market Overview

The global rheumatoid arthritis market size was valued at USD 67.9 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach a value of USD 104.5 billion by 2032, registering a CAGR of 4.9% during the forecast period (2024-2032). The rheumatoid arthritis market share is expected to grow over the forecast period due to increased arthritis prevalence, biopharmaceutical acceptance, and well-defined regulatory requirements in developed countries.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease of the joints that causes inflammation, pain, swelling, and stiffness. In contrast to osteoarthritis, a degenerative joint disease, rheumatoid arthritis is caused by the immune system incorrectly targeting the synovium—the lining of the membranes surrounding the joints. This immune response creates inflammation, damaging the joint and resulting in deformities and functional impairment. The primary 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, patent expiration and the entry of biosimilar drugs, an increase in the geriatric population, an increase in the adoption of conventional DMARDs, and government initiatives to raise awareness of rheumatoid arthritis symptoms. 

Furthermore, developments in complex biologics, higher healthcare spending, greater purchasing power, and access to quality medications worldwide for low- and middle-income households are some of the primary factors driving the rheumatoid arthritis market. However, medication side effects and the high cost of biological DMARD therapy are expected to constitute significant global market barriers. On the contrary, increased knowledge about early screening and treatment of rheumatoid arthritis will likely provide the market with substantial growth 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.
• Over-the-counter drugs generate the most revenue through sales channels.

Market Dynamics

Rheumatoid Arthritis Market Drivers

Increasing Prevalence of Rheumatoid Arthritis

The increased global prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis is a key market driver. RA affects millions of people globally, and the disease burden is predicted to rise further due to causes such as aging populations, sedentary lifestyles, and environmental exposure. According to a study published in Clinical Rheumatology in July 2023, the global prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) will rise over the next two decades. The study also forecasts that age-standardized RA rates would stay higher in women than in males, a tendency researchers estimate to persist until 2040. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about 23 million individuals will develop rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in 2023, accounting for around 1% of the global population. 70% are women, with 55% over the age of 55. 13 million RA patients have moderate to severe symptoms that could benefit from therapy.

Furthermore, the CDC reported that 53.2 million US people (21.2%) were diagnosed with arthritis between 2019 and 2021, including rheumatoid arthritis. This represents nearly one-fifth of all US adults. Similarly, the prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) across Europe ranges from 0.29 to 0.57% in women and up to 0.19% in males. Northern and Western European countries have a higher prevalence of RA (about 0.40%) than Southern and Eastern European countries (approximately 0.20%). The annual incidence of RA in European countries ranges from 20 to 50 per 100,000 people. 

Thus, the rising prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis emphasizes the critical need for improved treatment and management options to alleviate the burden of this chronic inflammatory disease. As the worldwide RA population grows, there is an increasing demand for novel medicines, personalized medicine methods, and integrated care services to improve outcomes and quality of life for people with rheumatoid arthritis. 

Rheumatoid Arthritis Market Restraints

High Cost of Treatment

The high expense of rheumatoid arthritis medicines, particularly biologic therapy and targeted immunomodulators, can create significant barriers to access for patients, healthcare providers, and healthcare systems. The expenditures connected with these treatments, such as drug procurement, Administration, and monitoring fees, can strain patients' finances and limit their access to optimal care.

Additionally, biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic medications (bDMARDs), which are widely used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, are notoriously expensive. In the United States, biologic drugs for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) can cost USD 1,000 to USD 3,000 per month or USD 10,000 to USD 30,000 per year before insurance. This is substantially more expensive than traditional disease-modifying antirheumatic medicines (DMARDs), for which most patients pay between USD 1,500 and USD 2,000 per year. People with RA have an average annual medical expense of USD 12,500, but those who take biologic drugs can spend more than USD 36,000. 

Moreover, high treatment costs might limit patients' access to appropriate therapy, especially those needing adequate insurance or financial resources. This can lead to inadequate disease treatment, illness progression, and increased morbidity and death among RA patients. Healthcare organizations and payers may need help allocating resources and managing budgets to meet the rising demand for pricey RA drugs. Formulary limits, prior permission requirements, and step therapy procedures are frequently used to save costs and maximize resource usage. Furthermore, in developing countries with limited healthcare resources, treating rheumatoid arthritis may be prohibitively expensive. Patients in these places may struggle to obtain and afford the required medications.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Market Opportunity

Digital Health and Remote Monitoring

Using digital health technologies and remote monitoring systems in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patient care can alter the field. These technologies improve illness management, medication adherence, and real-time disease activity monitoring, improving overall healthcare outcomes. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis can utilize smartphone apps to monitor their symptoms, medication adherence, and overall health. These apps usually include features for monitoring pain, joint stiffness, and fatigue. 

As of April 2023, two randomized clinical trials have been conducted to assess the efficacy of smartphone health applications for RA patients. One study discovered that employing a smartphone app to monitor patient-reported outcomes resulted in a statistically significant decrease in disease activity in RA patients. Another study found that two applications showed significant patient activation and incorporated features that aid in the behavioral control of RA.

Additionally, regulatory bodies and payers are rapidly realizing the importance of digital health and remote monitoring technology for enhancing healthcare access, quality, and efficiency. The United States Food and Drug Administration's Digital Health Software Precertification (Pre-Cert) Program and payment criteria for telemedicine services encourage innovation and implementation of digital health solutions to manage rheumatoid arthritis.

Moreover, digital health and remote monitoring technologies can significantly improve rheumatoid arthritis management by increasing patient engagement, enabling remote monitoring, facilitating data-driven decision-making, speeding up clinical research, and driving regulatory and reimbursement support. Healthcare providers, researchers, and policymakers can use these technologies to give more tailored, accessible, and effective care to RA patients, thereby improving health outcomes and quality of life.

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 provides lucrative opportunities for key players in the rheumatoid arthritis drugs market due 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. Furthermore, East and South Asia had the most rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, with around 4.8 million and 3.3 million, respectively.

Furthermore, the growing elderly population and increased demand for DMARDs drive market growth. The Asian Development Bank predicts that by 2050, one out of every four people in Asia-Pacific will be over 60. The region's elderly population (those over 60) is expected to double between 2010 and 2050, reaching around 1.3 billion people. In addition, certain countries in Asia-Pacific have improved their healthcare infrastructure, including the ability to identify and treat rheumatoid arthritis. As a result of these advancements, demand for rheumatoid arthritis medications has grown. As more people become aware of rheumatoid arthritis, early detection and treatment are becoming more critical.

North America is anticipated to exhibit a CAGR of 5.0% over the forecast period. According to rheumatoid arthritis market data, North America will likely continue to dominate the market over the projection period. The United States is anticipated to be one of the most enticing countries during the projection period. The nation's high healthcare spending is one of the primary factors driving market expansion. The United States is expected to grow substantially throughout the anticipated period due to enthusiastic support from the commercial and public sectors, technical advancements, increased R&D efforts, and rapidly rising awareness of rheumatoid arthritis. 

Additionally, expanding and improving the country's well-developed healthcare infrastructure would be necessary for the market's growth. , in Canada, around 374,000 persons aged 16 and up have RA, and the disease's prevalence rises with age. Factors that raise the chance of having RA include family history, smoking, age, and occupational exposure. 

Europe holds a significant market share. The availability of treatment facilities, government backing for healthcare industry expansion, an aging population, and an increase in rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis have all contributed to Europe's moderate market share. The infrastructure of the British healthcare system is well-developed and significantly supported by the government. It has the potential to be the world's leading healthcare system. The UK has the most significant level of spending in Europe, which is unsurprising. Furthermore, expanding research activities, various significant enterprises, and increased pipeline pharmaceuticals offer numerous prospects for stakeholders in the country's rheumatoid arthritis therapy industry.

Segmental Analysis

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

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 (DMARDs) will continue to account for most therapies over the forecast period. In all regions, DMARDs are regarded as the most effective type of treatment. DMARDs are a vital component of rheumatoid arthritis treatment, seeking to delay disease progression, reduce joint damage, and enhance long-term results. These drugs target the underlying immune system malfunction that causes RA inflammation and joint degeneration. Traditional DMARDs include methotrexate, sulfasalazine, and hydroxychloroquine, frequently used as first-line treatments. Biologic DMARDs, such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors, interleukin-6 (IL-6) inhibitors, and B-cell inhibitors, provide additional therapy choices for patients who do not respond to conventional DMARDs.

Additionally, the incidence of rheumatoid arthritis, the rise in overweight and obese persons worldwide, and the increasing use of DMARDs as the first-line treatment for rheumatoid arthritis are the primary drivers driving DMARD price increases. These medicines are widely used in the United States for treating and managing RA.

NSAIDs are often used to treat pain, inflammation, and stiffness caused by rheumatoid arthritis. These drugs reduce the formation of prostaglandins, which play an essential role in the inflammatory response. NSAIDs alleviate symptoms but do not change the course of RA or prevent joint deterioration. Ibuprofen, naproxen, and diclofenac are among the most commonly used NSAIDs in RA treatment. However, long-term use of NSAIDs has been linked to gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, and renal adverse effects, necessitating careful monitoring and risk-mitigation techniques.

Based on the route of Administration, the market is fragmented into Oral and parenteral.

Oral accounts for the largest market share during the projection period. Oral drugs are taken by mouth and absorbed via the gastrointestinal tract. This method of Administration is convenient, easy to use, and popular among patients who want to self-administer. DMARDs, NSAIDs, corticosteroids, and uric acid-lowering medicines are examples of oral pharmaceuticals used to treat rheumatoid arthritis. Orally administered RA medications include methotrexate, prednisone, hydroxychloroquine, and ibuprofen. Oral formulations might be in tablet, pill, or liquid form, providing more flexible dosing and medication management.

Parenteral drugs are delivered via methods other than the gastrointestinal tract, such as intravenous (IV), subcutaneous (SC), or intramuscular (IM) injection. Parenteral Administration is frequently recommended for some RA treatments that require a rapid onset of action, increased bioavailability, or the avoidance of gastrointestinal absorption problems. Biologic DMARDs, such as TNF inhibitors, IL-6 inhibitors, and B-cell inhibitors, are commonly given as subcutaneous or intravenous injections. Injectable corticosteroids, such as methylprednisolone acetate, can also be utilized as intra-articular injections to target specific joints impacted by RA inflammation. While parenteral Administration may include healthcare practitioner administration or patient self-injection, it delivers medication directly into the bloodstream, resulting in efficient drug distribution and systemic effects.

The market by Sales channels is further bifurcated into Prescription-Based Drugs and over-the-counter Drugs.

The OTC sector will have the most significant market share throughout the projected period. Over-the-counter rheumatoid arthritis medications are available without a prescription and can be obtained directly from pharmacies, retail stores, and internet platforms. OTC drugs are typically used to treat mild to moderate RA symptoms, including pain, inflammation, and stiffness. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs), acetaminophen, and topical analgesics are all common over-the-counter medications used to treat RA. While over-the-counter medications can provide symptom relief and may supplement prescription-based therapy, they are not meant to substitute prescribed medications for disease modification or long-term RA care. 

Furthermore, the shift was triggered by a greater understanding of novel disease-reversal therapy possibilities. The prescription sector will dominate the rheumatoid arthritis drugs market over the forecast period, owing to rising rheumatologist consultations. Patients with RA should contact a rheumatologist and follow the appropriate therapy because extended use of RA drugs might lead to drug resistance. Furthermore, few over-the-counter (OTC) medications are available for treatment.

Prescription-based rheumatoid arthritis medicines must be obtained and used with a prescription from a healthcare provider. Rheumatologists and other healthcare practitioners often prescribe these medications depending on the patient's illness severity, treatment history, comorbidities, and response to therapy.

Recent Developments

• April 2024- Lilly acquired a new injectable medicine manufacturing facility from Nexus Pharmaceuticals.
• February 2024- The FDA approved baricitinib, tofacitinib, and upadacitinib, all Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors, for treating moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis. These drugs, sold under the brand names Rinvoq, Olumiant, and Xeljanz, work by inhibiting the activity of specific JAK enzymes.