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Opioids agonist drugs are a class of synthetic opioid analgesics that activate or agonize the body’s opioid receptors. These receptors are located in the brain, spinal cord, and gastrointestinal tract. They work by changing how the brain and nervous system respond to pain. Common opioids agonist drugs include morphine, codeine, oxycodone, hydrocodone, fentanyl, and hydromorphone. They are mainly used to treat moderate to severe pain and are prescribed for conditions such as cancer pain, after surgery recovery, and chronic conditions like arthritis.
The Opioids Agonist Drugs Market is estimated to be valued at US$ 17,132.5 Mn or Mn in 2023 and is expected to exhibit a CAGR of 4.2% over the forecast period 2023 to 2030, as highlighted in a new report published by Coherent Market Insights
Market Dynamics:
One of the key drivers for the opioids agonist drugs market is the growing prevalence of chronic diseases like cancer and neurological disorders. Cancer pain management often relies on opioids agonist drugs to provide relief. According to the WHO, cancer is estimated to affect over 19.3 million people worldwide in 2025. Neurological disorders like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease also utilize opioids agonist drugs for palliative care. The global burden of neurological disorders is growing rapidly according to the WHO, estimating over 1 billion people to be living with such conditions by 2050.
Another driver is the growing geriatric population globally which is more prone to chronic conditions. As per the UN, the number of people aged 65 years or above is projected to grow from 727 million in 2020 to over 1.5 billion in 2050. This demographic boom will increase the patient pool requiring long term pain management therapies including opioids agonist drugs.
Segment Analysis
The opioids agonist drugs market is dominated by the prescription painkillers segment. Prescription opioid painkillers such as morphine, oxycodone, hydrocodone, and others are widely prescribed by physicians to patients experiencing moderate to severe levels of pain. These drugs continue to dominate the market as they are very effective in reducing pain. However, with rising misuse and abuse of prescription opioids, the market is witnessing a shift towards non-opioid and non-addictive alternative therapies.
PEST Analysis
Political: Governments across various countries have introduced stringent regulations for the prescription and use of opioids due to the opioid crisis. They are also supporting the development of alternatives to curb addiction rates.
Economic: The economic burden of prescription drug abuse is substantial. It is estimated that the United States bears an overall economic cost of $78.5 billion a year which includes healthcare costs, lost productivity, addiction treatment, and criminal justice costs associated with the opioid crisis.
Social: The social impact of opioid misuse has been enormous, especially in developed nations. It has resulted in a rising number of drug overdoses and deaths. There is an increasing patient and public awareness regarding risks of addiction associated with long-term opioid use which is shifting preferences towards non-opioid therapies.
Technological: Technological advancements are aiding the development of abuse-deterrent opioid formulations and non-opioid drugs with new mechanisms of action for pain management thus providing better treatment alternatives. Development of novel drug delivery systems are also making it difficult to tamper with opioid formulations and obtain the drug for inhalation or injection.
Key Takeaways
The global opioids agonist drugs market is expected to witness growth, exhibiting a CAGR of 4.2% over the forecast period, due to increasing prevalence of chronic pain disorders and a subsequent rise in prescription of opioid drugs. The market size for opioids agonist drugs was estimated to be US$ 17,132.5 Mn in 2023.
Regional analysis: North America dominated the opioids agonist drugs market and accounted for over 35% share of the global market in 2023 due to high consumption of prescription opioids for pain management in the region. However, Asia Pacific is projected to witness fastest growth during the forecast period with countries like China, India becoming major markets.
Key players: Key players operating in the opioids agonist drugs market include Pfizer Inc., Teva Pharmaceutical, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc (Johnson & Johnson), Purdue Pharma, Mallinckrodt, Sun Pharmaceutical and among others. Leading players are focusing on developing novel drug delivery systems to prevent abuse along with investing in alternative non-opioid therapies. Generic versions are also gaining market share with patent expiries of major opioid brands.
*Note:
- Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
- We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it
