The meperidine market is expected to grow at a steady growth rate during the forecast period. The drug is sold under a brand name Demerol, manufactured by Pfizer Inc. It is a drug of class opioid (narcotic) analgesics that is similar to morphine. Due to this, in most of the countries, the drug is not available over-the-counter (OTC) and needs a prescription to purchase it. The drug manipulates the mechanism of the brain and changes the way the body feels and responds to pain. The drug is used to relieve a person from moderate to severe pain. Moreover, it can be used by doctors before or during surgery or other procedures. However, the drug cannot be used to treat long-term or on-going pain and is used only when the pain is sudden. Moreover, misuse of the drug can cause addiction to it and even death. 

An increase in surgical procedures all across the globe is one of the major factors for the growth of the market during the forecast period. As per the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, around 10.6 million surgical procedures whereas around 12.6 million non-surgical procedures were performed all across the globe in 2018. In terms of surgical procedure, the overall growth of 15.0% was witnessed in the period of 2014 and 2018, whereas in the non-surgical procedure, the overall growth was 24.5% registered for the same period mentioned earlier. The US had witnessed most non-surgical procedures with around 2.8 million non-surgical procedures in 2018. However, Brazil has registered most surgical procedures with around 1.5 million surgical procedures in 2018.    

Disadvantages associated with the drug and availability of alternatives are among the major factor restraining the growth of the market. Nausea, vomiting, constipation, sweating, lightheadedness, dizziness, and drowsiness are some of the common side effects of the drug. One can also get addicted to the drug due to which it is a schedule II controlled substance. Sometimes, it is also illegally available to the people which they intake it by chewing, crushing to the powder, or dissolving it to the water. Moreover, the drug has a number of alternatives available in the market including morphine, hydromorphone, fentanyl, oxycodone, hydrocodone, codeine, and tramadol. The prescribing rate of opioid in the US is decreasing continuously every year. 

As per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the prescription rate of opioid has been decreased from 81.3% of the total prescription in 2012 to 51.4% in 2018. Moreover, the total number of opioid prescriptions has been reduced to 168 million in 2018 as compared to 255 million in 2012. 

Market Segmentation

The global meperidine market is segmented on the basis of application and dosage type. By application, the market is further segmented into pain relief and anesthesia. By dosage type, the market is segmented into oral and injections. Generally, 50 mg pills of meperidine hydrochloride are provided to the patients. Injections are generally used to relieve moderate to severe pain, before or during surgery or labor. 

Regional Outlook

On the basis of geography, the global meperidine market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Rest of the World (RoW). During the forecast period, North America is expected to hold a major market share. The US is a major country contributing to the global market. The high number of cosmetic surgeries, cardiovascular, and other surgeries, the high cost of drugs are some of the major factors for the growth of the market in the country. 

Europe is also expected to hold a significant market share during the forecast period. Germany, UK, France are some of the major countries contributing to the market. Moreover, Asia-Pacific is expected to show a considerable growth rate during the forecast period. The increasing number of surgeries, rising medical tourism for surgeries in India, Thailand, Singapore, South Korea, and Malaysia are motivating factors for the market growth in the region. 

Global Meperidine Market Growth, by Region 2020-2026

Market Players Outlook

Some of the major players working in the market include Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH, Neon Laboratories Ltd., Pfizer Inc., Mallinckrodt plc, and Hikma Pharmaceuticals PLC. The market players are adopting growth strategies including mergers & acquisitions, product launches, and partnerships & collaborations to gain a competitive edge in the market. 

The Report Covers

• Market value data analysis of 2019 and forecast to 2026.
• Annualized market revenues ($ million) for each market segment.
• Country-wise analysis of major geographical regions.
• Key companies operating in the global meperidine market. 
• Based on the availability of data, information related to pipeline products, and relevant news is also available in the report.
• Analysis of business strategies by identifying the key market segments positioned for strong growth in the future.
• Analysis of market-entry and market expansion strategies.
• Competitive strategies by identifying ‘who-stands-where’ in the market.