Gabapentin Market Assessment, By Dosage Form [Oral Solution, Tablet, Capsule], By Application [Restless Legs Syndrome, Neuropathic Pain, Epilepsy, Others], By Route of Administration [Intravenous, Oral, Parenteral], By Mode of Purchase, [Over the Counter,

Gabapentin Market Assessment, By Dosage Form [Oral Solution, Tablet, Capsule], By Application [Restless Legs Syndrome, Neuropathic Pain, Epilepsy, Others], By Route of Administration [Intravenous, Oral, Parenteral], By Mode of Purchase, [Over the Counter, Prescription, Retail], By Distribution Channel [Retail Pharmacy, Hospital Pharmacy, Online Pharmacy, Others], By Region, Opportunities and Forecast, 2017-2031F

Global gabapentin market is projected to witness a CAGR of 5.2% during the forecast period 2024-2031, growing from USD 2.51 billion in 2023 to USD 3.77 billion in 2031F. The market demand is boosted by increasing investments in product innovation activities by pharmaceutical companies, growing provision of product approvals by different regulatory bodies, and rising incidences of seizures.

Pharma companies are actively investing in research and development. For instance, in 2023, Swiss healthcare companies Novartis and Roche ramped up their research and development spending by 6%, with Novartis investing approximately USD 12.1 billion in investments in neuroscience and oncology and Roche investing USD 12.1 billion. Merck & Co. were noted to have the highest R&D ratio of 51%, followed by Novartis and Roche, at 30% each. Such investments aid in the development of novel products and in determining the alternate uses of existing products, which in turn is accelerating the gabapentin market growth.

The expansion of the geriatric population is another major factor bolstering the global gabapentin market demand as they are more susceptible to various health conditions, such as restless legs syndrome, neuropathic pain, epilepsy, and others, that require gabapentin. Thus, due to the growing prevalence of these conditions in the geriatric population, the demand for gabapentin is increasing, thereby bolstering the market's revenue growth.

Additionally, the increasing deployment of gabapentin by the healthcare sector is attributed to the increasing cases of epilepsy in various regions across the globe. For instance, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), epilepsy is one of the most common neurological conditions, with approximately 50 million individuals suffering from it across the globe. The different possible causes of epilepsy include strokes, tumors, imbalance of neurotransmitters, nerve-signaling chemicals, and brain damage caused by injury. Thus, due to these factors, the number of cases of epilepsy is significantly rising, propelling the requirement for gabapentin for effective management of the condition, thereby providing lucrative growth opportunities to the market.

Moreover, the Global Medicine Spending and Usage Trends: Outlook to 2025 report suggests that the medicines market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 3-6% by 2025, reaching approximately USD 1.6 trillion. Thus, the pharmaceutical market will offer lucrative growth opportunities to the global gabapentin market over the coming years.

Prevalence of Neuropathic Pain is Accelerating Market Expansion

The increasing prevalence of neuropathic pain due to damage to nerves, alcoholism, multiple sclerosis, spine injury, diabetes, thyroid disease, and others is one of the major factors boosting the global gabapentin market size. For instance, in 2021, the IDF Diabetes Atlas reported that 10.5% of the individuals from age group 20-79 years are living with diabetes. They project that by 2045, one out of eight adults (about 783 million) will suffer from diabetes. Hence, the increase in the cases of diabetes is propelling the requirement for gabapentin as over long durations of time; uncontrolled high blood sugar might cause damage to nerves, interfering with their ability to send signals, and causing diabetic neuropathy.

Meanwhile, the expansion of the geriatric population is bolstering the product requirement. For instance, according to an article published on PAIN Reports in March 2023, estimates of neuropathic pain in the general population indicate a prevalence of 7-10%. The number increases to approximately 20-30% in individuals with diabetes. Earlier studies have indicated a higher prevenance of neuropathic pain in older populations. Hence, due to it the demand for gabapentin is increasing for effective management of neuropathic pain in this population, which is propelling the expansion of the market.

Government Initiatives to Boost Awareness of Non-Communicable Chronic Conditions Aids Global Gabapentin Market Growth

The growing initiatives by various governments across the globe to increase awareness about epilepsy, among other non-communicable chronic conditions and the available treatments, are augmenting the market expansion. For instance, according to the estimates of the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately five million individuals around the world are diagnosed with epilepsy every year, propelling the requirement for medication to treat epilepsy, including gabapentin. To support this condition, the 75th WHA adopted the Intersectoral global action plan on epilepsy and other neurological disorders 2022–2031. They recognize the shared psychosocial and pharmacological approaches between epilepsy and other neurological disorders, serving as entry points to strengthen the support provided for these conditions. Therefore, due to the implementation of such initiatives, the awareness about epilepsy and the available treatment solutions is increasing; this, in turn, is propelling the requirement for gabapentin and positively influencing the growth of the market.

North America is Anticipated to Account for a Significant Market Share

The presence of a well-established healthcare sector, easy availability and adoption of technologically advanced solutions, and accessibility to health insurance are some of the major factors supporting the growth of North America gabapentin market. The surging provision of approvals by different regulatory bodies, such as the United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA), coupled with increasing initiatives by pharmaceutical companies and governments to enhance awareness about neurological conditions and their treatments, further support the market growth.

For instance, in March 2024, Strides Pharma Science Limited received approval by the USFDA for gabapentin tablets USP in 800mg and 600mg. The approval is expected to enhance Stride’s product portfolio and help it cater to the requirements of individuals suffering from neurological conditions. The approval complements the company’s existing approvals that hold a market size of USD 208 million.

Additionally, various pharma players and product manufacturers headquartered in the region are heavily investing in research and development activities to support the development of novel medications, further providing lucrative growth opportunities to the market in North America.

For instance, in 2023 Pfizer generated revenue of approximately USD 58 billion and invested around USD 10 billion in research and development, capping the R&D ratio at 18%. Henceforth, such increased investments are expected to support innovations and different methodological processes that aim to develop and introduce various medications into the market, bolstering the global gabapentin market expansion.

Increasing Incidences of Epilepsy Boosts the Market Growth

Epilepsy is a disorder of the brain that is caused by brain tumors, infection in the central nervous system, stroke, and traumatic brain injury. The oral dosage of gabapentin for epilepsy, for adults includes three doses a day of 300 mg, depending upon the recommendation of the physician. However, the dose should not exceed more than 1800 mg per day. For children aged 3-11, the dose is determined by the doctor depending upon the body weight and is initially approximately 10-15 mg per kilogram and is adjusted into three doses per day.

For instance, according to the estimates of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 1.2% of the population of the United States suffer from active epilepsy. The condition affects approximately 470,000 children and 3 million adults in the country. It, in turn is augments the requirement for gabapentin for preventing seizures by supporting the reduction of abnormal electrical activity in brain. Thus, the rising awareness about the condition and increased acceptance of different therapeutic solutions including gabapentin is expected to offer lucrative growth opportunities to the market.

Hospital Pharmacies are Expected to Account for Significant Global Gabapentin Market Share

The segment expansion can be attributed to increasing integration of electronic prescription systems by hospital pharmacies. These systems enhance patient satisfaction and compliance by aiding in streamlining the practice workflow and reducing the number of callbacks from pharmacies to physicians, boosting customer convenience. Due to these benefits the segment is witnessing rapid growth.

For instance, Apollo Hospital's pharmacy business is expected to touch USD 1.2 billion (INR 10,000 crore) revenue by the end of 2024. The rise can be attributed to the consumer preference for purchasing medication for managing chronic health conditions such as epilepsy from reputed hospital pharmacies because of pre-established trust and the presence of helpful pharmacists. Henceforth, such expansions will ensure accessibility to anti-epileptic medications, including gabapentin, supporting the market's growth.

Future Market Scenario (2024 – 2031F)

According to the global gabapentin market analysis, the increase in cases of restless leg syndrome, neuropathic pain, and epilepsy over the coming years will augment the requirement for gabapentin for treating and managing these conditions, thereby bolstering the market expansion.

The rising conduction of clinical trials for determining the doses of antiepileptic drugs, including gabapentin required for treating different epileptic conditions and augmenting investments towards research and development activities for identifying the alternative applications of gabapentin are expected to offer lucrative growth opportunities to the market over the forecast period.

The ongoing development of new healthcare facilities will boost the supply of gabapentin across various regions, thereby creating a favorable growth potential for the growth of the market in the long run.

Key Players Landscape and Outlook

Various leading market players are investing heavily in research and development activities to strengthen their position in the market. These activities allow them to develop new products, evaluate the working and functioning of existing products for different applications, and assess the safety and efficacy of both existing and novel products. This allows the company to send more products for approval to different regulatory bodies such as the United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA).

For instance, in January 2024, Zydus Lifesciences Limited secured approval for marketing and manufacturing Gabapentin tablets by the United States Food and Drug Administration. The product is primarily used for the management of Postherpetic Neuralgia, a condition known for causing lasting pain in the skin areas affected by shingles. The approval adds to the company’s 448 filed Abbreviated New Drug Applications (ANDAs) and 384 approvals. Such approvals allow market players to expand their customer base, supporting the market expansion.