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U.S. Neuropathic Pain Medications Markets
Frost & Sullivan, Aug 2004
Limitations of Available Medications Offer Participants Opportunities for Growth
The lack of effective medications specifically targeting neuropathic pain is anticipated to offer manufacturers great potential for growth. Current medications fail to meet patient and physician requirements-being either ineffective among a large proportion of patients or providing modest pain relief with deleterious side effects. Even Neurontin often delivers significant results only when taken in dangerously large doses. Therefore, unmet medical need among end users is likely to spur the demand for new generation drugs. As products become more efficiently utilized, patient compliance is likely to increase, resulting in dramatic revenue growth.
This research examines the major types of medications used in the treatment of neuropathic pain in the United States in four major market segments: opioids, antidepressants, topical analgesics, and anticonvulsants. It provides market revenue forecasts and major trends in each of these segments and analyzes the drivers and restraints that are likely to assist manufacturers in formulating their future marketing strategies. Additionally, it evaluates the changing dynamics of the overall market, the evolving role of each product class in medical treatment, and the market potential for smaller companies.
Increased Awareness Essential to Drive Adoption Rates
Low awareness levels among patients and physicians have restrained the effectiveness of treatment regimens. While patients remain uncertain about the point at which their pain requires professional help, physicians often cannot quantify neuropathic pain due to its unknown etiology. Since no available drug on the market is ideal, combination treatment regimens have become commonplace. However, this form of disease control usually provides only short-lived, inconsistent results - leading to lower compliance rates. Finding different combination regimens that treat patients optimally and effectively is a challenge that market participants are trying to overcome.
Raising awareness levels is considered integral for success in the neuropathic pain market. A positive step in this direction is the basic recognition of neuropathic pain as being separate and distinct from nociceptive pain. Better treatment guidelines have been developed and pain specialists have identified first-line therapies in hopes of improving neuropathic pain management, says the analyst. As more products continue to enter the market, physicians will have more options and patient compliance should rise.
Underserved Patient Base Drives R & D in Neuropathic Pain Market
The growing knowledge and acceptance of new, efficient therapeutics is expected to further the number of market entrants and create unprecedented opportunities in a market that is currently dominated by Pfizer. Even while the neuropathic pain market is challenged by limited drug safety and misdiagnosis, the escalating patient base makes this market an attractive R & D target for pharmaceutical companies.
The rising incidence of diseases such as diabetes, HIV/AIDS, and other causal disorders has led to a steady increase in the demand for a wider range of treatment options, says the analyst. However, emerging therapies with novel mechanisms of action are likely to make an impact only if they can demonstrate significant safety benefits.
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