Recently, OMR Research published a report on diabetes, according to which the antidiabetic drug market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.2% during the forecast period. There are various factors that are supporting the market’s growth, such as the increasing geriatric population, changes in lifestyle, increased government support and developments to curb the disease, and advancements in technologies to treat diabetes.
Based on region, the market is segmented into North America, Asia-Pacific, Europe, and the rest of the world. Of which, the Asia-Pacific region is witnessing the highest demand in the market, followed by North America.
Asia-Pacific
As per the IDF Diabetes Atlas findings in 2021, diabetes affects the most adults aged 20 to 79 in China, followed by India and Pakistan. Also, the IDF predicts that these nations will continue to have the highest number of diabetics in 2045. Diabetes now affects 140.9 million people in China, with the number expected to rise to 174.4 million by 2045. Experts believe that 72.8 million Chinese citizens have undiagnosed diabetes.
Moreover, according to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) Diabetes Atlas findings, China, India, and the US have the greatest number of diabetics (aged 65-99 years). For 2017, 2019, and 2030, the US scored higher than India in terms of the number of persons aged 65 and older who had diabetes. However, projections indicate that by 2045, India will outnumber the US in the number of persons aged 65 and older who have diabetes. This data suggests the future demand for antidiabetic drugs in the region.
The key factors for the diabetes prevalence in the region are the increasing aging population, urbanization, high cholesterol, high white rice and refined grain consumption, and genetics. The United Nations’ 2017 report, “World Population Ageing,” stated that Asia’s aging population is expected to increase by twofold by 2050, accounting for 1.3 billion from 549 million in 2017. Additionally, type 2 diabetes is prevalent in Asian populations, particularly among Asian Indians, due to a high genetic predisposition and greater interaction with environmental factors. The typical elements that activate the gene-environmental interaction include a high-fat diet and a lack of physical exercise.
Due to all such factors, governments are increasing their contributions to address the issue. For instance, according to a report published in December 2022 by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in India, the department provides financial and technical support to states and union territories for the prevention and control of NCDs (non-communicable diseases), including diabetes. The Department of Biotechnology, under the “Chronic Disease Program,” sponsors research in high disease burden areas such as diabetes. Diabetes and metabolic syndrome have remained the primary focus areas, with a number of studies funded to acquire deeper insights into the molecular processes, treat associated morbidities, and identify potential therapeutic targets for type II diabetes and diabetes-related complications. The government is funding research initiatives in many areas of diabetes.
Besides, key market players, such as Welnex Bio Pvt. Ltd., Arlak Biotech Pvt. Ltd., Abbott Laboratories, and others, are also contributing to the market’s growth with their various development activities. For instance, in December 2022, Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd. released a triple fixed-dose combination of teneligliptin, pioglitazone, and metformin for diabetic patients in India.
North America
The North American market includes the US and Canada. These countries are facing significant challenges regarding their diabetic populations. For instance, according to the 2017 National Diabetes Statistics Report, the diabetes burden in the US was 30 million people. Moreover, according to the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, between 2019 and 2021, the US had 5.5 diabetes cases per 1,000 people. However, the government has set a target to reduce it to 4.8 per 1,000 people. Moreover, as per the International Diabetes Federation report from 2021, North America and the Caribbean combined had 51 million adults with diabetes—1 in 7—and diabetes caused 931,000 mortalities in 2021 alone. Further, the diabetic population is expected to reach 57 million by 2030.
Due to such factors, market players such as Merck & Co., Inc., Novo Nordisk A/S, and AstraZeneca plc, among others, are assisting diabetic individuals in combating the disease through various drug launches, investments, and collaborations in the market. For instance, in December 2022, Medtronic Canada announced that Health Canada had approved the Medtronic Extended infusion set for insulin pumps. This infusion set is the first and only infusion set with a wear period of up to seven days. The infusion set for administering insulin from a pump to the body is normally changed every two to three days.
Besides, government organizations are also launching new programs and initiatives to support diabetics. Recently, in January 2023, the Indian Health Service (IHS) announced a $139 million investment to combat the incidence of diabetes in Native American communities. The funding, provided by the US Department of Health and Human Services, will go toward the IHS's Special Diabetes Program for Indians (SDPI), which will provide preventative and treatment services to Alaska Native communities and American Indian communities. Additionally, the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices (NGA Center) will launch the Strategies for Preventing and Managing Type 2 Diabetes Learning Lab in January 2022. The Diabetes Learning Lab was established to assist governors and state officials in their efforts to improve population health, reduce health-care spending, and reverse unfavorable health trends by investing in comprehensive state strategies to prevent or delay type 2 diabetes.