Local Anesthesia Drugs Market - Growth, Trends, COVID-19 Impact, and Forecasts (2022 - 2027)
The global local anesthesia drugs market was valued at USD 2,526.86 million in 2020, and it is expected to reach USD 3,378.43 million by 2026, registering a CAGR of 4.91% during the forecast period.
The use of local anesthesia in treating patients infected with COVID-19 is in high demand due to its benefits and minimal risk of viral transmission. Additionally, the research article published in the European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology in 2020 revealed that the topical oropharyngeal lignocaine application significantly increased comfort levels for the patient during oropharyngeal sampling for COVID-19 and had no effect on the detection of SARS-CoV-2 in the upper airway. Thus, the study suggested that topical oropharyngeal lignocaine should be considered as a measure to reduce the viral inoculum sampling of a COVID-19 suspect.
The growth of the global local anesthesia drugs market is driven by various factors, such as the rising number of surgeries requiring local anesthesia, increasing product approvals, and the growing usage of local anesthetic for postoperative pain.
According to the United Nations World Ageing 2019 report, there were around 703 million people aged 65 years or over in the global population. This number is projected to double to 1.5 billion in 2050. Globally, the population aged 65 years or over increased from 6% in 1990 to 9% in 2019. The geriatric population is prone to chronic diseases that lead to organ function failures, as there are changes in the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics related to age and organ function. This factor is expected to increase the number of surgeries, which will drive the growth of the studied market.
Furthermore, the development and approvals of novel local anesthesia drugs prove to be a new revenue-generating resource for the companies in the market. For instance, in February 2021, PainPass launched the first Cannabidiol (CBD)/lidocaine product line that specifically targets those with chronic pain and numbing of muscles externally.
Additionally, the increased funding for the research and development of novel drugs by the pharma companies is also expected to drive market growth. For instance, members of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) invested USD 83 billion in R&D in 2019, establishing the biopharmaceutical sector as the most R&D-intensive industry in the US economy.
The growing research on local anesthetics is also boosting the market growth. Istituti Ospitalieri di Cremona, Italy, started a clinical trial in 2017, in order to compare the effectiveness of blind local anesthetic infiltration with ultrasound-guided transversals fascia block and spinal anesthesia in patients undergoing inguinal hernia repair surgery. The results of the research are yet to be published. However, the side effects of these drugs and strict regulatory framework are expected to restrain the market studied.
Key Market TrendsBupivacaine is Expected to Register a Significant Growth in the Forecast YearsBupivacaine is a prescription medication used as a local anesthetic that blocks the nerve impulses that send pain signals to the brain. This injection is a very useful anesthetic for local and regional anesthesia for several procedures, such as surgery and diagnostic, therapeutic, and obstetrical procedures. It is used in various surgical procedures.
Although all local anesthetics cause changes in the cardiac and central nervous system functions, in the case of Bupivacaine, when injected intravascularly into toxic blood concentrations, it can cause an atrioventricular block, ventricular arrhythmias, and cardiac arrest, sometimes resulting in death.
Pacira Pharmaceuticals Inc. is one of the growing companies recognized for its drug Exparel globally. LGM Pharma, Pfizer, Sagent Pharmaceuticals Inc., and BOC Sciences are the key players globally. In March 2021, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the submission of supplemental new drug application (sNDA) submitted by Pacira BioSciences Inc. for the expanded use of its Exparel (Bupivacaine Liposome Injectable Suspension) in pediatric patients. However, Bupivacaine is widely used as local anesthesia due to its efficacy in numbing certain organs. Hence, the rising number of surgeries leads to the high demand for local anesthesia drugs, and it is expected to propel the growth of the market.
North America Dominates the Market and is Expected to Follow the Same Trend Over the Forecast PeriodNorth America currently dominates the local anesthesia drugs market and is expected to continue its stronghold in the market. The North American anesthesia market is the largest regional market in the world. The market is mainly driven by factors, such as the increasing number of surgeries, the rising aging population with increasing chronic conditions, and advancements in anesthesia technologies.
For instance, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), in 2020, about 2,314,720 cosmetic surgical procedures were performed in the United States, as compared to 1,901,049 procedures in 2000. There has been a 22% increase in the adoption rate of these surgical procedures, within a decade. These statistics clearly indicate that surgical procedures are constantly increasing in the region.
As per the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI), around 104,349 Caesarean section deliveries, 70,215 knee replacement surgeries, 55,294 fracture rectifications, 42,449 coronary artery angioplasties, and 58,333 hip replacement surgeries were performed in the country during 2017-2018. These statistics indicate that the demand for local anesthesia is expected to be high in the near future
In addition, several companies are focusing on new product launches and seeking product approvals in Canada. For instance, in December 2019, Heron Therapeutics Inc., a commercial-stage biotechnology company, was granted a review status and accepted by Health Canada for its new drug submission (NDS) for HTX-011, an investigational dual-acting, fixed-dose combination of the local anesthetic called Bupivacaine, along with a low dose of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, Meloxicam, for the management of post-operative pain.
Competitive LandscapeThe Local Anesthesia Drugs market is competitive and many of the global players are in the market. Companies are focusing on major collaborations, mergers, and acquisitions in order to enhance their market share. Market players are also focusing on R&D to improve product quality and minimize manufacturing costs, developing novel products to improve patient compliance and safety.
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