Rheumatoid Arthritis Drugs Market - Growth, Trends, COVID-19 Impact, and Forecasts (2022 - 2027)

The Rheumatoid Arthritis Drugs Market is poised to grow at a CAGR of 5.6% during the forecast period (2022-2027).

COVID-19 has significantly impacted rheumatoid arthritis (RA) as RA has a higher risk of COVID-19 infection. For instance, according to the study published in Arthritis & Rheumatology, titled 'Risk of COVID-19 in Rheumatoid Arthritis: A National Veterans Affairs Matched Cohort Study in At-Risk Individuals' in October 2021, patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) are more likely than those without RA to develop COVID-19 and severe COVID-19 (which can lead to hospitalization or death). In addition, the study published in Future Virology, titled 'The COVID-19 pandemic: an increased risk of rheumatoid arthritis in June 2021, Because of the iatrogenic consequences of RA-related pharmacological therapy, patients predisposed to RA have a greater infection risk than the general population. As a result, a COVID-19 pandemic might increase the probability of a health emergency in complicated conditions like RA. Such studies show that the COVID-19 infection has significantly impacted the rheumatoid arthritis market over the forecast period.

The key factors propelling the growth of the rheumatoid arthritis drugs market are the launch of new biosimilars, the rising prevalence of arthritis, and an increase in the acceptance of biopharmaceuticals, among others.

According to the study published in Rheumatology International, titled 'The global prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis (RA): a meta-analysis based on a systematic review' in November 2020, the global prevalence of RA was estimated to be 0.46 percent. This will lead to increased adoption of therapies for RA, driving the market growth.

Several therapeutics and medications have been developed in recent years to treat the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis drug management is generally associated with a high cost. Most commonly used drugs are disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), corticosteroids, and biologic drugs. Biologics account for a significant market share in revenue due to the considerably high cost of these medicines. However, the prices of rheumatoid arthritis drugs and NSAIDs are less than biologics. Thus, growing availability and awareness of safer drugs will increase the global rheumatoid arthritis market.

Rising product launches by the market players are expected to drive this market's growth further. For instance, in September 2020, Lupin launched generic leflunomide in the United States to treat adults with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This will lead to increased adoption of rheumatoid therapies in patients, driving the market growth.

Moreover, rising approvals of biosimilars for treating rheumatoid arthritis are expected to drive further market growth due to the increased adoption of biosimilars. For instance, in October 2021, the United States Food and Drug Administration approved Cyltezo, the first interchangeable biosimilar to Humira, to treat rheumatoid arthritis.

However, alternative treatment options and patent expiration of branded drugs are expected to hinder the market growth during the forecast period.

Key Market Trends

NSAIDs Segment is Expected to Show Major Share Over the Forecast Period

The NSAIDs segment is expected to hold a significant share in the rheumatoid arthritis drugs during the forecast period.

NSAIDs are being widely utilized for the symptomatic treatment of rheumatic disorders. Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) are also considered the gold standard for treating moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis. Unlike conventional DMARDs, the NSAIDs give symptomatic relief; biological drugs are more efficient in managing rheumatoid arthritis.

The increasing prevalence of the disease globally is boosting the segment growth. With the growing number of arthritis cases, using NSAIDs and their production is expected to observe healthy demand and supply throughout the forecast period.

According to the study published in Frontiers in Immunology, titled 'Promising Therapeutic Targets for Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis' in July 2021, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), including acetylsalicylate, naproxen, ibuprofen, and etodolac, are used to alleviate pain, swelling, and decrease inflammation and are used as the first line treatment for rheumatoid arthritis. This has led to increased adoption of NSAIDs in the therapy of this disease, driving this segment growth.

In addition, the rising launch of NSAIDs for treating rheumatoid arthritis is further expected to drive the growth of the segment studied. For instance, in August 2021, Alkem Laboratories launched Ibuprofen and Famotidine tablets to relieve rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis symptoms in the United States. Furthermore, in September 2021, Lupin launched generic Duexis (ibuprofen and famotidine) tablets used to treat the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis in the United States market.

This shows steady growth in arthritic cases, supporting the expected growth of NSAIDs in the market.

North America Holds a Significant Share and is Expected to Follow the Same Trend Over the Forecast Period

North America is expected to hold a significant share in the rheumatoid arthritis market and show the same trend over the forecast period.

Factors such as the rising prevalence of disease, the strong foothold of key market players, rising launch of novel therapies such as monoclonal antibodies for rheumatoid arthritis, rising investments from the market players in the research for the development of novel treatments and biosimilars for this disease, among others are expected to drive the market growth in this region.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in October 2021, about 1 in 4 United States adults (23.7%) or about 58.5 million people have doctor-diagnosed arthritis. Furthermore, According to the Government of Canada, in September 2020, approximately 374,000 (1.2%) Canadians aged 16 years and older live with diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis. Such a massive prevalence of this disease will lead to increased adoption of therapies for this, driving the market growth.

In addition, in May 2020, Teva and Celltrion Healthcare launched TRUXIMA (rituximab-abbs) Injection for Rheumatoid Arthritis, the biosimilar of Rituxan(rituximab) for this indication in the United States. Moreover, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has 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 the hand, wrist, elbow, foot, ankle or knee in adults (18 years and older). This will further lead to increased adoption of rheumatoid arthritis therapies in the United States, driving the market growth over the forecast period.

Therefore, owing to the above factors, the growth of the rheumatoid arthritis market in North America is expected to drive over the forecast period.

Competitive Landscape

The market for rheumatoid arthritis is moderately competitive, and key players are manufacturing a majority of rheumatoid arthritis drug products. The market leaders in this industry have established their position in the market. These manufacturers have a wide product range to offer and an extensive distribution system across the world. Additionally, the emerging markets in the Asia-Pacific region are witnessing the entry of small players. Some major players in this market include AbbVie Inc., Amgen Inc., Bayer AG, Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, and Eli lilly and Company, among others.

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