Opioids Market Report

Opioids Market Size:

The global opioids market size reached USD 22.5 Billion in 2024. Looking forward, IMARC Group expects the market to reach USD 28.8 Billion by 2033, exhibiting a growth rate (CAGR) of 2.65% during 2025-2033. The rising incidence of chronic pain conditions, increasing elderly population, increase in cancer diagnoses, improved access to healthcare services, ongoing research and development (R&D) efforts, escalating consumer awareness, and favorable government regulations are some of the major factors propelling the market.

Opioids Market Analysis:

• Major Market Drivers: The opioid market analysis identifies important factors, such as chronic pain, growing elderly population, and increasing prevalence of diseases including arthritis and cancer.
• Key Market Trends: Based on the opioid market forecast, the major trends include the ongoing shift towards the development of abuse-deterrent formulations (ADF) of opioids to minimize the risk of addiction.
• Geographical Trends: The opioid market is dominated by North America due to high prescription rates, a well-established healthcare system, and the prevalence of chronic pain conditions among its population. Other regions are also experiencing growth due to increased healthcare expenditure, awareness of pain management options, and infrastructure expansion.
• Competitive Landscape: Some of the major market players in the opioids industry include Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH, Hikma Pharmaceuticals PLC, Mallinckrodt plc, Pfizer Inc., Purdue Pharma L.P., Sanofi S.A., Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., and Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., among many others.
• Challenges and Opportunities: The opioid market faces challenges, such as stricter regulatory controls and increased demand for non-opioid pain management options. However, there is an opportunity to develop and market new opioid formulations that are effective and less likely to lead to abuse and addiction.

Opioids Market Trends:

Increasing prevalence of chronic pain

The increasing incidence of chronic pain throughout the world is a primary driver of opioid industry growth. In 2021, over 20.9% of U.S. adults (51.6 million) suffered chronic pain, while 6.9% (17.1 million) reported high-impact chronic pain (i.e., pain that significantly limits daily activities). Millions of people suffer from chronic pain, which is commonly caused by ailments, such as arthritis, back difficulties, or neuropathic disorders, boosting the use of effective pain management treatments. In 2019-2021, around 53.2 million US individuals (21.2%) had arthritis diagnosed by a doctor, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). As a result, opioids are prescribed by healthcare practitioners because of their effectiveness in treating severe pain.

Growing geriatric population

The opioids industry is driven by the growing geriatric population. In 2022, there were 771 million persons aged 65 and over, accounting for about 10% of the global population. In 2022, 14.9 crore people in India were recorded to be 60 years or older, accounting for approximately 10.5% of the total population. In addition, the population of the European Union (EU) was predicted to be 448.8 million in 2023, with more than one-fifth (21.3%) of it aged 65 and more. Geriatric individuals are more likely to endure chronic pain due to age-related disorders, such as degenerative joint disease and cancer. This has raised the need for pain treatment choices. It is estimated that among adults aged 65 and older, 47% are diagnosed with arthritis in the USA. Also, osteoarthritis is the second most common rheumatologic problem, and it is the most frequent joint disease with a prevalence of 22% to 39% in India. Nearly, 45% of women over the age of 65 years have symptoms while radiological evidence is found in 70% of those over 65 years.

Rising cancer rates across the globe

The increasing rate of cancer diagnoses, particularly in emerging nations, is fueling the demand for opioids. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) estimated that 20 million new cancer cases and 9.7 million deaths occurred in 2022. The expected number of persons who survived 5 years after a cancer diagnosis was 53.5 million. Furthermore, around one in every five persons develops cancer during their lifetime, with one in every nine men and one in every twelve women dying from the condition. Cancer patients frequently experience significant pain, and opioids are a key component of cancer pain therapy. As cancer rates increase internationally, so does the demand for effective pain management, driving the opioid industry expansion.

Opioids Market Segmentation:

IMARC Group provides an analysis of the key trends in each segment of the market, along with forecasts at the global, regional, and country levels for 2025-2033. Our report has categorized the market based on product type, application, and distribution channel.

Breakup by Product Type:

• Codeine 
• Fentanyl
• Methadone
• Oxycodone
• Morphine
• Hydrocodone
   

Oxycodone accounts for the majority of the market share

The report has provided a detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the product type. This includes codeine, fentanyl, methadone, oxycodone, morphine, and hydrocodone. According to the report, oxycodone represented the largest segment.

According to the opioids market statistics, oxycodone has emerged as a dominant product type owing to its potent pain-relieving properties, which make it highly effective in managing severe pain, including post-operative and cancer-related pain. Physicians often prescribe oxycodone when other pain management options prove insufficient. Moreover, the pharmaceutical industry has invested significantly in the development of extended-release formulations of oxycodone, offering prolonged pain relief with fewer dosing intervals. Additionally, oxycodone's versatility allows for various administration routes, including oral tablets, capsules, and intravenous formulations, catering to diverse patient needs, which, in turn, is propelling its adoption.

Breakup by Application:

• Pain Management
• Cough Treatment
• Diarrhea Treatment
• Others
   

Pain management holds the largest share of the industry

A detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the application has also been provided in the report. This includes pain management, cough treatment, diarrhea treatment, and others. According to the report, pain management accounted for the largest market share.

Based on the opioid market trends, pain management accounted for the largest market share. Opioid's fundamental role in the healthcare sector and the increasing recognition of the importance of effectively addressing pain is fueling its adoption in pain management applications. Pain refers to a pervasive and complex medical issue affecting millions of individuals worldwide, and opioids are considered a crucial component in managing moderate to severe pain, especially in acute and chronic pain conditions, post-surgical recovery, and cancer-related pain. The sheer prevalence of pain-related conditions owing to the burgeoning geriatric population and the rising incidence of cancer diagnoses, thereby creating a sustained demand for effective pain relief methods, is bolstering the opioids market share.

Breakup by Distribution Channel:

• Hospital Pharmacies
• Retail Pharmacies
• Drug Stores
• Online Stores
• Others
   

The report has provided a detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the distribution channel. This includes hospital pharmacies, retail pharmacies, drug stores, online stores, and others.

According to the opioids market overview, hospital pharmacies represent a critical distribution channel as these settings are the first encounters of opioid prescriptions for patients, especially after surgeries or for acute pain management. They ensure controlled distribution and use, providing a direct link between the prescription and administration of opioids under medical supervision.

As per the opioids market analysis, retail pharmacies serve as the most accessible point for patients to fill opioid prescriptions for chronic pain management. They cater to the ongoing needs of patients outside the hospital setting, facilitating the continuity of care prescribed by healthcare providers. Retail pharmacies offer widespread availability, convenience, and, in some regions, counseling services to ensure safe use, boosting the opioid market revenue.

According to the opioids market report, drug stores offer a broader shopping experience with a particular focus on health. They provide a convenient option for patients to access their medications along with other healthcare products. The role of drug stores in the opioid industry underscores the balance between accessibility to necessary medications and the responsibility to limit access to prescription drugs to prevent abuse.

Online pharmacies represent a growing segment in the opioid market, offering patients convenience and lower prices for their medications. Moreover, rapid advancements in digital health technologies and changing consumer behaviors are favoring the shift toward online shopping. Along with this, online pharmacies increase access to pain management solutions in underserved or rural areas.

Breakup by Region:

• North America
  • United States
  • Canada
• Asia-Pacific
  • China
  • Japan
  • India
  • South Korea
  • Australia
  • Indonesia
  • Others
• Europe
  • Germany
  • France
  • United Kingdom
  • Italy
  • Spain
  • Russia
  • Others
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
  • Others
• Middle East and Africa
   

North America leads the market, accounting for the largest opioids market share

The report has also provided a comprehensive analysis of all the major regional markets, which include North America (the United States and Canada); Europe (Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, Russia, and others); Asia Pacific (China, Japan, India, South Korea, Australia, Indonesia, and others); Latin America (Brazil, Mexico, and others); and the Middle East and Africa. According to the report, North America represents the largest regional market for opioids.

As per the opioids market outlook, The North American region dominated the market share due to several factors, including a high prevalence of chronic pain conditions, such as back pain and osteoarthritis, an aging population, and the widespread use of opioids in pain management. In addition to this, improved healthcare infrastructure and increased awareness of pain management options have led to higher opioid prescription rates, positively impacting the opioid market demand. Moreover, specialized addiction treatment centers and pharmacies have emerged as distribution channels, addressing the demand for these medications. Furthermore, evolving regulations and prescribing practices, influenced by stricter guidelines and prescription monitoring programs, are influencing the opioid market growth.

Competitive Landscape:

• The market research report has also provided a comprehensive analysis of the competitive landscape in the market. Detailed profiles of all major companies have also been provided. Some of the major market players in the opioids industry include Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH, Hikma Pharmaceuticals PLC, Mallinckrodt plc, Pfizer Inc., Purdue Pharma L.P., Sanofi S.A., Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., etc.
  
  (Please note that this is only a partial list of the key players, and the complete list is provided in the report.)
   
• According to recent research that analyzes the opioid market's recent developments, it has been found that leading pharmaceutical companies are investing heavily in research and development (R&D) to develop innovative opioid formulations. These efforts focus on creating opioids with improved safety profiles, reduced potential for abuse, and enhanced efficacy in pain management. The goal is to provide healthcare professionals with more effective and safer treatment options. Moreover, opioid market companies are closely monitoring and complying with evolving regulations and guidelines related to opioid prescribing, distribution, and usage. They are working to ensure that their products meet the highest safety and quality standards while adhering to stringent regulatory requirements. All these efforts are shaping the opioids market's recent price and opportunities.

Opioids Market News:

• In June 2021, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) accepted and granted priority review designation to new drug application (NDA) submitted by Purdue Pharma L.P. for nalmefene hydrochloride injection. The injectable is an opioid antagonist that is designed to reverse opioid overdose.
• In February 2024, Hikma Pharmaceuticals PLC, along with its wholly owned subsidiary Hikma Pharmaceuticals USA Inc., announced that it has reached an agreement in principle to resolve the several opioid related cases brought against the company by U.S. states, their subdivisions, and tribal nations. These cases relate to the manufacture and sales of prescription opioid medications. Hikma agreed to pay up to $115 million in cash and $35 million in donations of Hikma’s naloxone, an opioid antagonist that is used to reverse the effects of opioid overdose.

Opioids Market Report Scope:

Key Questions Answered in This Report:

• How has the global opioids market performed so far, and how will it perform in the coming years?
• What are the drivers, restraints, and opportunities in the global opioids market?
• What is the impact of each driver, restraint, and opportunity on the global opioids market?
• What are the key regional markets?
• Which countries represent the most attractive opioids market?
• What is the breakup of the market based on the product type?
• Which is the most attractive product type in the opioids market?
• What is the breakup of the market based on the application?
• Which is the most attractive application in the opioids market?
• What is the breakup of the market based on the distribution channel?
• Which is the most attractive distribution channel in the opioids market?
• What is the competitive structure of the market?
• Who are the key players/companies in the global opioids market?

Key Benefits for Stakeholders:

• IMARC’s industry report offers a comprehensive quantitative analysis of various market segments, historical and current market trends, market forecasts, and dynamics of the opioids market from 2019-2033.
• The research report provides the latest information on the market drivers, challenges, and opportunities in the global opioids market.
• The study maps the leading, as well as the fastest-growing, regional markets. It further enables stakeholders to identify the key country-level markets within each region.
• Porter's five forces analysis assists stakeholders in assessing the impact of new entrants, competitive rivalry, supplier power, buyer power, and the threat of substitution. It helps stakeholders to analyze the level of competition within the opioids industry and its attractiveness.
• The competitive landscape allows stakeholders to understand their competitive environment and provides insight into the current positions of key players in the market.