Saudi Arabia 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), And By Sales Channel (Prescription, Over-the-counter (OTC)) - Forecasts From 2022 To 2027

Saudi Arabia Anti-Rheumatic Drug Market is anticipated to expand at a high CAGR over the forecast period.

The antirheumatic drugs market in Saudi Arabia is projected to show nominal growth throughout the forecast period, owing to the low prevalence of arthritis in the country. However, the growth in the country may be attributed to the presence of a state-of-the-art healthcare system. Saudi Arabia is one of the most prominent countries in the Middle East region regarding the development of its healthcare services and infrastructure. Moreover, the Saudi Vision 2030 further aims to improve the healthcare infrastructure and services in the country. This, in turn, is projected to provide ample opportunities for the key market players to invest in the country and further gain a competitive edge in the market.

Saudi Arabia Anti-Rheumatic Drug Market Overview & Scope

The Saudi Arabia anti-rheumatic drug market is segmented by:

• Type of Disease: Rheumatoid arthritis is forecasted to be the fastest-growing segment in Saudi Arabia's anti-rheumatic drug market. The increasing frequency of autoimmune disorders, sedentary lifestyles, overweight populations, and increased genetic predisposition are increasing the need for newer treatments. Also, the adoption of these treatments is partly due to healthcare authorities' awareness programs, the use of biologics, and targeted therapies.  
• Drug Class: JAK inhibitors have the most rapid growth rates due to their efficacy in treating moderate-to-severe rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune indications in which patients have failed standard DMARD or biologic therapy. JAK inhibitors have the added appeal of being oral small-molecule drugs, unlike injectables and biologics. JAK inhibitors deliver a more user-friendly route of administration than biologics.
• Sales Channel: Saudi prescription drugs are dominating and growing exponentially, as they are the predominant treatment regimen; all effective medications for rheumatic disease treatment require medical surveillance and prescription biologics, DMARDs, corticosteroids, and JAK inhibitors. The rising demand for hospitals and specialist rheumatology consultations is leading to dramatic growth in the prescription drug segment, supported by the Saudi government's introduction of insurance coverage and coverage of expanding advanced rheumatology centers.  

Top Trends Shaping the Saudi Arabia Anti-Rheumatic Drug Market

1. Increased Incidence of Autoimmune and Rheumatic Conditions

• The long-term burden of rheumatic diseases, like rheumatoid arthritis/gout, osteoarthritis, and lupus, is evolving in the Saudi population. There is an increased incidence due to lifestyle factors like increased obesity, less physical activity, and modifications in eating. Some patients in select population groups will have a genetic predisposition, making demand for new anti-rheumatic agents a strong consideration. This recent epidemiology is shifting the burden down in terms of both diagnosis and the use of treatment.

Saudi Arabia Anti-Rheumatic Drug Market Growth Drivers vs. Challenges

Drivers:

• Increasing Government Insurance Coverage and Investments in Healthcare: In the Saudi government's Vision 2030 strategy, there is a focus on strengthening healthcare infrastructure, increasing specialty care, and access to advanced medicines. With government-sponsored health insurance programs along with global pharmaceutical companies working on multi-partnerships, patients are currently more likely to gain access to high-cost biologics and specialty medications for long-term rheumatic disease management. This trend has made advanced pharmaceuticals more accessible and affordable.
• Growth of Hospitals and Clinics for Specialty Rheumatology: Saudi Arabia is quickly developing specialized rheumatology centers within major hospitals and clinics, particularly in Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam. With the deployment of advanced diagnostics and treatment pathways for patients, patients are benefiting from earlier and personalized diagnoses and treatments. The slowed but welcomed increased rate of availability of rheumatology specialists has an additional positive impact on clinical outcomes and subsequent patient compliance with more advanced anti-rheumatic drugs.  

Challenges:

• Expensive Advanced Therapies and Biologics: In the Saudi anti-rheumatic drug market, a significant limitation on care is the high cost to the patient of biologics and other advanced targeted therapies (e.g., JAK inhibitors). While they have been shown to be effective, they are a substantial cost, relative to traditional NSAIDS or corticosteroids. Although some treatments can be insurer-funded by the government-sponsored insurance program, affordability is still an immediate issue for many people, particularly in longer-term therapies. Limitations of cost are thus a significant barrier to accessing care and can delay the take-up of innovative therapies into practice to a greater degree.

Saudi Arabia Anti-Rheumatic Drug Market Competitive Landscape

The market is fragmented, with many notable players, including Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, Eli Lilly and Company, Pfizer Inc., GlaxoSmithKline plc, Sanofi S. A, Johnson & Johnson, Abbott Laboratories, The Menarini Group, and Hikma Pharmaceuticals Plc.

• Collaboration: In December 2024, the commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company Bio-Thera Solutions Inc., which is working on a pipeline of novel treatments and biosimilars, announced that it has partnered with Tabuk Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Company, a fully-owned subsidiary of Astra Industrial Group, a prominent pharmaceutical company in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, for BAT2206, its ustekinumab biosimilar. Under this partnership, Tabuk will have the sole right to produce, distribute, and market the drug in Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia Anti-Rheumatic Drug 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)

1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 

2. MARKET SNAPSHOT

2.1. Market Overview

2.2. Market Definition

2.3. Scope of the Study

2.4. Market Segmentation

3. BUSINESS LANDSCAPE 

3.1. Market Drivers

3.2. Market Restraints

3.3. Market Opportunities 

3.4. Porter’s Five Forces Analysis

3.5. Industry Value Chain Analysis

3.6. Policies and Regulations 

3.7. Strategic Recommendations 

4. TECHNOLOGICAL OUTLOOK 

5. SAUDI ARABIA ANTI-RHEUMATIC DRUG MARKET BY TYPE OF DISEASE

5.1. Introduction

5.2. Osteoarthritis

5.3. Rheumatoid Arthritis

5.4. Gout

5.5. Lupus

5.6. Others

6. SAUDI ARABIA ANTI-RHEUMATIC DRUG MARKET BY DRUG CLASS 

6.1. Introduction

6.2. Disease-modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs (DMARDs)

6.3. Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)

6.4. Corticosteroids

6.5. JAK inhibitor

6.6. Others

7. SAUDI ARABIA ANTI-RHEUMATIC DRUG MARKET BY SALES CHANNEL 

7.1. Introduction

7.2. Prescription

7.3. Over-The-Counter (OTC)

8. COMPETITIVE ENVIRONMENT AND ANALYSIS

8.1. Major Players and Strategy Analysis

8.2. Market Share Analysis

8.3. Mergers, Acquisitions, Agreements, and Collaborations

8.4. Competitive Dashboard

9. COMPANY PROFILES

9.1. Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation

9.2. Eli Lilly and Company

9.3. Pfizer Inc.

9.4. GlaxoSmithKline plc

9.5. Sanofi S. A

9.6. Johnson & Johnson

9.7. Hikma Pharmaceuticals Plc

9.8. Jamjoom Pharma

9.9. AbbVie Inc.

9.10. Amgen Inc.

10. APPENDIX

10.1. Currency 

10.2. Assumptions

10.3. Base and Forecast Years Timeline

10.4. Key benefits for the stakeholders

10.5. Research Methodology 

10.6. Abbreviations 

Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation

Eli Lilly and Company

Pfizer Inc.

GlaxoSmithKline plc

Sanofi S. A

Johnson & Johnson

Hikma Pharmaceuticals Plc

Jamjoom Pharma

AbbVie Inc.

Amgen Inc.