Global Anti-Rheumatic Drug Market Size, Share, Opportunities, COVID-19 Impact, And Trends By Type Of Disease (Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Gout, Lupus, Others), By Drug Class (Disease-modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs (DMARDs), Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs), Corticosteroids, JAK Inhibitor, Others), By Sales Channel (Prescription, Over-the-counter (OTC)), And By Geography - Forecasts From 2023 To 2028

The global anti-rheumatic drug market is estimated at a negative CAGR of 1.36% to reach a market size of US$72.313 billion by 2028 from US$79.615 billion in 2021.

Rheumatic diseases are a group of disorders that affect the joints, muscles, and bones, causing inflammation, pain, and stiffness. Anti-rheumatic drugs are substances that are administered to treat rheumatoid arthritis, among other diseases like gout, lupus, osteoarthritis and so on.

There are several types of anti-rheumatic drugs, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), corticosteroids, disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), and biologic agents. The global anti-rheumatic drug market can also be segmented into pharmaceuticals and biopharmaceuticals based on the manufacturing process of the drugs. Pharmaceuticals refer to traditional drugs that are chemically synthesized and manufactured using chemical processes. These drugs are usually small molecules that can be taken orally or injected into the body. Biopharmaceuticals, also known as biologics, are drugs that are produced using living organisms or genetically engineered cells.

Growth factors:

The prime factor that is predicted to sustain the growth of the anti-rheumatic drug market is the increasing prevalence of rheumatic diseases, particularly as the population ages.

Rheumatic diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and lupus, are chronic conditions that can significantly impact a patient's quality of life. As the population ages, the prevalence of these conditions is expected to increase, leading to a growing demand for effective treatments. As people age, their joints become more susceptible to wear and tear, and the cartilage that cushions the joints starts to break down. This can lead to pain, stiffness, and decreased mobility, and may eventually result in the need for joint replacement surgery. According to the World Health Organization, rheumatoid arthritis alone affects more than 23 million people worldwide, with a higher prevalence in women. In addition to rheumatoid arthritis, there are many other types of rheumatic diseases, each with its own unique symptoms and treatment needs. According to the reports of the World Bank, the ageing population is increasing and in turn, driving the demand for anti-rheumatic drugs.

Key development:

• In January 2023, the DSI (Department of Science and Innovation) and IPASA (Innovative Pharmaceutical Association of South Spain) collaborated with the SAMRC (South Spainn Medical Research Council) to enhance the R&D capability in South Spain along with the commercialization of novel and innovative health solutions and boosting the pharmaceutical sector in the country. The IPASA is an association that consists of key market players like Merck, Novartis, Pfizer and Roche, to name a few.
• Rukobia is a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 attachment inhibitor developed by ViiV Healthcare for the treatment of HIV-1 infection. It was approved by the FDA in 2020 and launched in the US in the same year. Rukobia is also being investigated as a potential treatment for rheumatoid arthritis.
• In 2021, Eli Lilly and Company received FDA approval for Olumiant (baricitinib) to treat adults with active psoriatic arthritis, a chronic autoimmune disease that causes joint pain, stiffness, and swelling. Olumiant is a Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor that works by blocking certain enzymes that contribute to inflammation.

The global anti-rheumatic drug market for rheumatoid arthritis is estimated to grow significantly.

Anti-rheumatic drugs are medications that are used in the treatment of autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, and psoriatic arthritis for decreasing inflammation, and pain and preventing joint damage. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a common autoimmune disease, affecting approximately 1% of the global population, with women being three times more likely to develop RA than men. The anti-rheumatic drug market is a rapidly growing segment due to the increasing prevalence of rheumatic disorders, such as RA, as well as other autoimmune diseases, and the growing ageing population. Anti-rheumatic drugs are used to manage the symptoms of these diseases by reducing inflammation, preventing joint damage, and improving the overall quality of life for patients. Besides rheumatoid arthritis, anti-rheumatic drugs are further used in the treatment of other autoimmune diseases such as lupus where the immune system attacks the healthier cells and organs of the body, thereby causing inflammation in joints, kidneys, heart, and lungs.

Based on geography, the global anti-rheumatic drug market is segmented into North America, South America, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and Asia Pacific. North American region is expected to hold a noteworthy share. The USA is witnessing an increase in arthritis prevalence owing to factors such as lack of physical activity, weight issues, and improper lifestyle. For instance, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2020, the projected number of doctor-diagnosed arthritis in adults stood at 63 million which represented an increase of 16.7% increase over 2014’s projected number of 54 million. Moreover, as per the same source, the number is expected to grow to 72 million in the country by 2030. Such an increase in the arthritis prevalence is expected to boost the demand for the anti-rheumatic drugs in terms of volume. Furthermore, companies are investing in product launches and expansions. For instance, in January 2023, US Food and Drug Administration approved “Janus Kinase Inhibitors” for the treatment of RA. The new drug forms a part of Disease-Modifyring Anti-Rheumatic Drugs (DMARD) which slows the progression of joint damage in rheumatoid arthritis patients.

Global Anti-Rheumatic Drug Market Scope:

Market Segmentation:

• By Type Of Disease
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Rheumatoid Arthritis
  • Gout
  • Lupus
  • Others
• By Drug Class
  • Disease-modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs (DMARDs)
  • Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)
  • Corticosteroids
  • JAK inhibitor
  • Others
• By Sales Channel
  • Prescription
  • Over-the-counter (OTC)
• By Geography
  • North America
    • USA
    • Canada
    • Mexico
  • South America
    • Brazil
    • Argentina
    • Others
  • Europe
    • Germany
    • France
    • UK
    • Italy
    • Others
  • Middle East and Africa
    • Saudi Arabia
    • UAE
    • Israel
    • Others
  • Asia Pacific
    • China
    • India
    • Japan
    • South Korea
    • Taiwan
    • Thailand
    • Indonesia
    • Others