Antimalarial Drugs Market Size, Share, Opportunities, And Trends By Drug Class (Quinine, Chloroquine, Proguanil, Mefloquine, Pyrimethamine, Others), By Malaria Type ((Plasmodium Falciparum, Plasmodium Vivax, Plasmodium Malariae, Plasmodium Ovale), By Mechanism Of Action (Treatment For Malaria, Prevention Of Malaria), By Distribution Channel (Veterinary Hospitals, Hospital Pharmacy, Retail Pharmacy, E-Commerce, Others), And By Geography - Forecasts From 2024 To 2029

The Antimalarial drugs market is anticipated to grow at a steady pace during the projected period.

Antimalarial drugs are medications specifically designed to prevent or treat malaria, a potentially life-threatening infectious disease caused by the Plasmodium parasite transmitted through the bite of infected mosquitoes. These drugs play a crucial role in malaria prevention for travellers to endemic regions and are also instrumental in managing and treating malaria infections. Various classes of antimalarial drugs, such as artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs), chloroquine, quinine, and others, target different stages of the Plasmodium life cycle within the human body. The selection of antimalarial drugs is often based on factors like the type of Plasmodium species causing the infection, the geographic location of exposure, and the resistance patterns observed in the region. The ongoing research and development of new antimalarial drugs aim to address challenges such as emerging drug resistance and improve global efforts to control and eliminate malaria.

Market Drivers

• Increasing cases of malaria

According to the most recent World Malaria Report, the year 2022 recorded 249 million cases of malaria, a slight increase from the 244 million cases reported in 2021. The estimated number of malaria-related deaths was 608,000 in 2022, compared to 610,000 in 2021. The WHO African Region remains disproportionately burdened by malaria, accounting for approximately 94% of all cases and 95% of deaths in 2022. Notably, children under 5 years of age represented around 78% of all malaria-related deaths in the region. Specifically, four African countries—Nigeria (26.8%), the Democratic Republic of the Congo (12.3%), Uganda (5.1%), and Mozambique (4.2%)—accounted for just over half of all malaria deaths globally. This significant prevalence of malaria underscores the pressing need for widespread acceptance and utilization of anti-malarial therapies, contributing to the growth of the market dedicated to addressing this critical global health challenge. The alarming statistics highlight the urgent requirement for effective and accessible anti-malarial treatments to counter the widespread impact of the disease on populations worldwide.

• Rise in demand for artemisinin compound

The effective treatment of uncomplicated malaria caused by the P. falciparum parasite involves the use of artemisinin-based compounds (ACTs) and combination therapies (ACTs). ACTs, known for combining two active ingredients with distinct mechanisms of action, currently stand as the most effective antimalarial medicines available. Key market players are proactively engaging in initiatives to develop next-generation antimalarials, aiming to address the growing threat of artemisinin resistance. This commitment, exemplified by Novartis' ongoing investment in research and development for advanced antimalarials, is expected to drive increased adoption of artemisinin-based drugs and foster market growth. The significance of these initiatives is underscored by the fact that ACTs are the standard of care for treating the most lethal form of malaria, P. falciparum, which constitutes over 99% of cases in Africa and 50% of cases in Asia. Overall, such strategic efforts by key market players are poised to propel the growth of the ACTs segment within the market.

Middle East and Africa is anticipated to hold a significant share of the market-

The Middle East and Africa have prominently contributed to the significant market share in the anti-malarial drugs sector, and this trend is anticipated to persist. The region's substantial market presence is attributed to the rapid increase in malaria prevalence. According to the 2021 World Health Organization (WHO) report, the global malaria cases in 2020 reached an estimated 241 million, with the WHO African Region bearing a considerable burden of 228 million cases. Consequently, the Middle East and Africa are poised to maintain one of the largest shares in the overall anti-malarial drugs market. Additionally, a noteworthy development occurred in July 2022 when Mosquirix, an anti-malarial vaccine developed by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), was introduced as the world's first anti-malarial vaccine. This launch took place in three African countries—Ghana, Kenya, and Malawi—under the Gavi vaccine project with support from the Gates Foundation. Such initiatives aimed at malaria prevention in the African region are expected to drive increased adoption of anti-malarial therapies, contributing to the market growth in this region.

Market Developments

• In August 2022, the British Heart Foundation announced its intention to provide funding to the University of Surrey for research aimed at examining the effects of anti-malaria medications on cardiac rhythm. The study seeks to gain insights into how drugs utilized for malaria treatment may influence the human heart.
• In March 2022, tafenoquine, a novel medication effective in treating a specific form of malaria, received approval in Australia through the collaboration of Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV) and GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), which aided in the drug's development for children and teenagers. The drug is administered in conjunction with the conventional malaria medication chloroquine.

Market Segmentation

• By Drug Class
  • Quinine
  • Chloroquine
  • Proguanil
  • Mefloquine
  • Pyrimethamine
  • Others
• By Malaria Type
  • Plasmodium falciparum
  • Plasmodium vivax
  • Plasmodium malariae
  • Plasmodium ovale
• By Mechanism of Action
  • Treatment for Malaria
  • Prevention of Malaria
• By Distribution Channel
  • Veterinary Hospitals
  • Hospital Pharmacy
  • Retail Pharmacy
  • E-Commerce
  • Others
• By Geography
  • North America
    • USA
    • Canada
    • Mexico
  • South America
    • Brazil
    • Argentina
    • Others
  • Europe
    • UK
    • Germany
    • France
    • Italy
    • Spain
    • Others
  • Middle East and Africa
    • Saudi Arabia
    • UAE
    • Others
  • Asia Pacific
    • Japan
    • China
    • India
    • South Korea
    • Taiwan
    • Thailand
    • Indonesia
    • Others