Saudi Arabia Flu Diagnostic and Treatment Market Size, Share, Opportunities, COVID-19 Impact, And Trends By Type Of Flu (Type A, Type B), By Offering (Diagnostics (Rapid Influenza Diagnostic Test, Rapid Molecular Assay, Others), Therapeutics), By Age Group (0-14 Years, 15-64 Years, >=65 Years), And By End-User (Hospital Laboratory, Outpatient Clinic, Reference Laboratory) - Forecasts From 2022 To 2027

The Saudi Arabia Flu Diagnostic and Treatment Market Size:

The Saudi Arabia flu diagnostic and treatment market is anticipated to expand at a high CAGR over the forecast period.

The increasing government spending on healthcare and social development is also anticipated to propel market growth opportunities for the flu diagnostic and treatment market in Saudi Arabia throughout the forecast period and beyond. This rapid increase in the healthcare sector, combined with rising healthcare awareness among people, will result in a rise in the demand for various treatments and healthcare services in the country during the forecast period. All these factors collectively contribute to the market growth of the Saudi Arabia flu diagnostic and treatment market during the coming years. Additionally, the continuous evolution of the healthcare sector in the country, as the growing focus of the government towards the privatization of healthcare due to economic diversification and reducing its dependence on the public sector, is also anticipated to propel the market growth opportunities during the coming years.

Saudi Arabia Flu Diagnostic and Treatment Market Overview & Scope

The Saudi Arabia flu diagnostic and treatment market is segmented by:

• Type of Flu: The growth for Type A influenza is predicted to be the highest, as it is a highly contagious virus and has been going through seasonal outbreaks in Saudi Arabia quite often. One of the reasons for the return of influenza is the rapid mutation of the virus, which has led to the need for more diagnostic tests and therapeutic solutions besides the usual demand for them. This is making the market where Type A is being the most clinically significant and commercially dominant.
• Offering: One of the fastest-growing areas will be rapid molecular assays since the providers are moving to tests of very high sensitivity and specificity for very early detection. RIDTs are usually less accurate, whereas molecular assays give more reliable results that lead to fewer false negatives and better treatment outcomes. Generally, the healthcare transformation plans in Saudi Arabia, the utilization of point-of-care molecular devices, and the government's concentration on infection prevention are some of the main factors that have accelerated the uptake of this segment.
• Age Group: The elderly population community is at the highest risk when it comes to flu-related issues like lung infections, respiratory failure, and exacerbation of underlying health conditions. Since the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is witnessing the upward trend of the elderly population attributed to the advancement in life expectancy, the need for both reliable diagnostics and efficient therapeutic interventions in this demographic is growing. Besides that, public initiatives focusing on the health of older adults and vaccination drives for the prevention of the disease are also generating an increase in the market.
• End-User: Hospital laboratories will be the main drivers of the growth of the flu testing market as they continue to be the primary centers for the flu test and the beginning of treatment, especially during seasonal outbreaks. Such laboratories deal with many patients, have access to sophisticated molecular diagnostic systems, and are usually combined with hospital and emergency services.

Top Trends Shaping the Saudi Arabia Flu Diagnostic and Treatment Market

1. Growing Use of Accurate and Quick Diagnostics
   Saudi Arabia has trended considerably towards the use of advanced diagnostic tools such as rapid molecular assays. The conventional rapid influenza diagnostic tests (RIDTs) are still in use to a large extent; however, their restrictions in terms of sensitivity are urging healthcare providers to switch to molecular-based methods that allow quicker and more accurate results. This change is brought about by the healthcare modernization programs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia under Saudi Vision 2030, which revolve around digital health and precision diagnostics. Hospitals and outpatient clinics have become the primary users of point-of-care testing, which enables quicker clinical decision-making and results in positive patient outcomes.

Saudi Arabia Flu Diagnostic and Treatment Market Growth Drivers vs. Challenges

Drivers:

• Growing Number of Elderly People Increasing the Need for Therapeutics: Saudi Arabia's elderly population is getting larger, and as a result, there will be more complications arising from influenza, such as pneumonia, cardiovascular problems, and deaths. The shifts in demographics in the kingdom are resulting in a larger need for treatment with antiviral drugs, vaccination, and diagnostic screening on a regular basis in older age groups. Medical institutions are increasing capacity for flu prevention as well as the provision of specialized care for the elderly, which has been the main driver of the market for flu therapy products over time.
• Government Priorities for Preventive Care and Immunization: The Ministry of Health from Saudi Arabia is implementing a comprehensive vaccination program against influenza on a national scale to prevent the regular outbreaks of the seasonal flu, with special attention given to the riskiest groups such as medical staff, children, elderly people, and patients with chronic diseases. Preventive medicine practice is gaining momentum in the public health strategy of Saudi Arabia. This prioritization of immunization is doubly beneficial as it lowers hospital costs and raises awareness for flu detection and therapy, thus facilitating a gradual increase in the market.

Challenges:

• Costly Advanced Diagnostic Technologies: Even though fast molecular assays and sophisticated diagnostic tools are precise, the high price of these is still the main obstacle to the usage of such tools in all healthcare facilities in Saudi Arabia. Some smaller clinics and outpatient facilities frequently use less expensive rapid influenza diagnostic tests (RIDTs) that are not very sensitive and can lead to false results. The high cost of purchasing, setting up, and maintaining advanced diagnostic platforms is the main reason why such facilities are only accessible in large hospitals and reference laboratories; thus, there is no nationwide uniformity in flu detection and management.

Saudi Arabia Flu Diagnostic and Treatment Market Competitive Landscape

The market is fragmented, with many notable players, including GlaxoSmithKline plc, Johnson & Johnson, AbbVie Inc., F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, 3M, Abbott Laboratories, Hologic Inc., Cipla, Meridian Bioscience, and Merck Limited.

• Initiative: In September 2024, Healthcare facilities throughout the kingdom offered seasonal flu shots, which were scheduled via the Sehhaty app, as part of the Ministry of Health's continuous efforts to promote preventive healthcare. According to the ministry, flu complications are more likely to occur in people with weak immune systems, those over 50, pregnant women, obese people, people with chronic illnesses, young children (6 months to 5 years old), and healthcare workers.

Saudi Arabia Flu Diagnostic and Treatment Market Segmentation:

• By Type of Flu
  • Type A
  • Type B
• By Offering
  • Diagnostics
    • Rapid Influenza Diagnostic Test
    • Rapid Molecular Assay
    • Others
  • Therapeutics
• By Age Group
  • 0-14 Years
  • 15-64 Years
  • >=65 Years
• By End-User
  • Hospital Laboratory
  • Outpatient Clinic
  • Reference Laboratory

GlaxoSmithKline plc

Johnson & Johnson

AbbVie Inc.

F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd

3M

Abbott Laboratories

Hologic Inc

Cipla

Meridian Bioscience

Merck Limited