Diabetes Drug Market Overview, 2025-30

Diabetes is considered a major public health concern and poses the greatest public health and health system challenge. It impacts the quality of life and lifespan and is associated with several complications. For instance, in October 2024, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) Country Office in India, introduced a national project to ensure timely access to care for 75 million people with diabetes and hypertension by 2025. The economic burden of diabetes treatment is quite high across the world. The diabetes drugs market is driven by rising prevalence of diabetes globally, advancements in drug development, and an increased focus on personalized medicine.

The growing aging population, coupled with lifestyle changes and high rates of obesity, contributes to a higher incidence of diabetes, boosting demand for effective treatments. Additionally, innovation in drug formulations and the development of new classes of diabetes medications enhance treatment options, fostering market growth. Increased awareness and improved healthcare infrastructure further support the expansion of the diabetes drugs market.

AI-based insulin dosing systems, continuous glucose monitors (CGMs), and smart insulin pens are enhancing personalized diabetes care and patient adherence. Regulatory authorities such as the FDA and EMA are supporting this innovation by fast-tracking drug approvals and expanding indications for existing therapies. However, despite these advances, access and affordability remain key challenges, particularly in low-resource settings where the high cost of branded medications limits widespread usage.

According to the research report, "Global Diabetes Drug Market Overview, 2030," the Global Diabetes Drug market was valued at more than USD 86.12 Billion in 2024, with the CAGR of 5.76% from 2025-2030. In parallel, the pharmaceutical industry is exploring non-invasive drug delivery methods, including oral and inhaled insulin, which could further transform patient compliance. Market competition is intensifying, especially with global pharmaceutical giants like Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly racing to launch newer, more efficient delivery systems and combination therapies.

Furthermore, growing awareness, favorable reimbursement policies in developed nations, and government-led diabetes prevention programs globally are contributing to expanding market penetration. However, ensuring equitable distribution of these drugs remains a top concern. Furthermore, an increase in obesity, an increase in sedentary lifestyle adoption, and an increase in the consumption of unhealthy diets are expected to increase the incidence of diabetes, fueling industry growth. Diabetes Drugs Market is driven by the rise in the diabetic population, technological advancement, increased sales of novel medicines, and a growing adoption rate in developing regions.

For instance, according to an article published in June 2021 in The Lancet, around 80% of the world’s total diabetic population lives in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). For instance, in July 2021, the FDA approved Semglee (insulin glargine-fun), a biosimilar to the reference product Lantus (insulin glargine), and a long-acting insulin analog.

Semglee is the first interchangeable biosimilar insulin product approved to improve glycemic control in adults and children with type 1 diabetes and adults with type 2 diabetes. Additionally, global health policies are increasingly promoting early diagnosis and preventive therapy, boosting demand for first-line oral antidiabetic drugs such as metformin and newer SGLT2 inhibitors, especially in community and outpatient settings.

Market Drivers

• Rising Prevalence of Diabetes: One of the strongest drivers of the global diabetes drug market is the continuously increasing prevalence of diabetes across the world. Sedentary lifestyles, unhealthy dietary habits, rising obesity rates, and genetic predisposition are contributing to a surge in both Type 1 and especially Type 2 diabetes cases. As per global health data, the number of adults living with diabetes has more than tripled over the past few decades. This has created a substantial demand for effective drugs to manage blood glucose levels, prevent complications, and improve patients’ quality of life.
• Innovation in Drug Development and Delivery Technologies: Another major growth driver is innovation in drug formulation and delivery mechanisms. Pharmaceutical companies are investing heavily in research and development to create new classes of drugs such as SGLT2 inhibitors, GLP-1 receptor agonists, and combination therapies that offer better efficacy, fewer side effects, and ease of use. Advanced insulin delivery systems, such as smart insulin pens and continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) pumps, are improving patient compliance.

Market Challenges

• High Cost of Advanced Therapies: One of the major challenges in the diabetes drug industry is the high cost of new and advanced therapies, especially for insulin analogs and combination drugs. These treatments, while effective, are often out of reach for patients in low- and middle-income countries. Even in developed regions, the cost burden can limit long-term adherence to prescribed medications. This affordability gap restricts equitable access to treatment, prompting healthcare systems and governments to seek cost-effective alternatives or implement price control regulations, which can impact manufacturers’ profitability.
• Stringent Regulatory Approvals and Safety Concerns: Bringing a new diabetes drug to market involves extensive clinical trials, rigorous safety evaluations, and complex regulatory approvals. The lengthy and expensive process can delay market entry and increase R&D costs. Furthermore, safety concerns such as cardiovascular risks, weight gain, or kidney complications associated with some anti-diabetic drugs can lead to recalls or restricted use. Regulatory authorities have become increasingly cautious, adding layers of compliance and surveillance that pose operational and financial challenges for pharmaceutical companies.

Market Trends

• Shift Toward Personalized and Precision Medicine: A notable trend in the diabetes drug market is the growing shift toward personalized treatment strategies. With the advent of genomic studies, biomarker identification, and AI-driven diagnostics, healthcare providers are tailoring drug therapies based on a patient’s genetic profile, lifestyle, and comorbidities. This ensures higher treatment efficacy and lower adverse reactions. Personalized approaches are especially relevant in selecting among multiple drug classes for managing Type 2 diabetes and in optimizing insulin therapy for Type 1 patients.
• Integration of Digital Health Technologies: The integration of digital technologies in diabetes management is rapidly gaining traction. Mobile apps, continuous glucose monitors (CGMs), wearable devices, and telemedicine platforms are now being used alongside pharmacological treatments. These tools enhance patient engagement, improve medication adherence, and provide real-time insights into blood glucose trends. Moreover, pharmaceutical companies are partnering with tech firms to offer combined therapeutic and digital solutions, setting a new standard in chronic disease care and expanding the ecosystem of diabetes drug delivery.

GLP-1 receptor agonists are growing fastest in the global diabetes drug industry due to their dual benefits of effective glycemic control and significant weight loss, which address both diabetes management and obesity-related complications.

The rapid growth of GLP-1 receptor agonists in the global diabetes drug market can be attributed primarily to their unique therapeutic profile that effectively targets two major health concerns simultaneously diabetes and obesity. Unlike traditional antidiabetic drugs, GLP-1 receptor agonists such as semaglutide, liraglutide, and dulaglutide mimic the action of the body’s natural incretin hormones, enhancing insulin secretion in a glucose-dependent manner while suppressing glucagon release and slowing gastric emptying. This results in not only improved glycemic control with a lower risk of hypoglycemia but also in meaningful weight loss, a critical advantage considering the strong link between type 2 diabetes and obesity.

As global rates of obesity raise sharply, the demand for antidiabetic treatments that also support weight management has increased significantly. Moreover, the cardiovascular benefits associated with GLP-1 receptor agonists as demonstrated in large-scale clinical trials have further elevated their clinical appeal, leading to inclusion in updated diabetes treatment guidelines by international authorities such as the ADA and EASD.

The introduction of once-weekly formulations and oral versions, like oral semaglutide, has improved patient compliance and convenience, addressing one of the major limitations of injectable-only therapies. Pharmaceutical companies have heavily invested in research and development of newer GLP-1 receptor agonists with enhanced efficacy, longer duration, and fewer side effects, further fueling innovation and market expansion.

Type 2 diabetes is growing fastest in the global diabetes drug industry due to the worldwide surge in sedentary lifestyles, unhealthy diets, and rising obesity rates, which are the primary risk factors driving its exponential increase.

The explosive growth of type 2 diabetes in the global diabetes drug industry is fundamentally driven by widespread lifestyle changes that have accompanied urbanization, modernization, and globalization. As societies become more sedentary and dietary patterns shift towards high-calorie, processed, and sugar-rich foods, the prevalence of obesity a major risk factor for insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes has reached epidemic levels in both developed and developing countries. Urban living has reduced physical activity while increasing dependence on motorized transportation, screen-based entertainment, and desk-bound occupations, leading to a chronic energy imbalance.

These behaviors, coupled with poor dietary choices, have created the perfect storm for metabolic disorders like type 2 diabetes to thrive. The aging global population is also contributing to the growth, as the risk of type 2 diabetes increases significantly with age due to declining beta-cell function and cumulative lifestyle exposures. Moreover, genetic predisposition and ethnic susceptibility, particularly among populations in Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America, are amplifying the disease burden in regions where healthcare systems may be underprepared for long-term diabetes management.

Increased screening and better diagnostic tools have led to earlier and more frequent detection, inflating reported prevalence rates and subsequently fueling demand for medications. Unlike type 1 diabetes, which typically emerges early in life and requires insulin therapy from diagnosis, type 2 diabetes has a much larger potential patient pool that continues to grow, leading to higher drug consumption across various classes ranging from metformin and SGLT2 inhibitors to GLP-1 receptor agonists and insulin therapies.

The oral route of administration is growing fastest in the global diabetes drug industry due to increasing patient preference for convenience, adherence, and the introduction of effective oral therapies for both type 2 diabetes and adjunct treatments.

The rapid growth of the oral route of administration in the global diabetes drug industry can be attributed primarily to the rising demand for more patient-friendly and non-invasive treatment options, especially among individuals managing chronic conditions like type 2 diabetes. Unlike injectable therapies, which often require proper training, sterile equipment, and may cause discomfort or psychological resistance due to needle phobia, oral medications are widely perceived as simpler, more convenient, and easier to incorporate into daily routines. This makes them particularly suitable for long-term disease management and improves patient compliance, which is critical in a condition that demands lifelong adherence.

The development and approval of newer, more effective oral drugs, such as SGLT2 inhibitors and DPP-4 inhibitors, have further reinforced this trend by offering potent glucose-lowering effects with favorable safety profiles. Additionally, the emergence of oral versions of once-injectable GLP-1 receptor agonists, such as oral semaglutide, represents a breakthrough that is accelerating the shift toward oral therapies.

These advancements allow patients to benefit from the therapeutic efficacy of advanced drug classes without resorting to injections, thereby removing a significant barrier to adoption. The growth of type 2 diabetes cases globally, particularly in aging and urbanizing populations, has increased the demand for scalable and accessible treatment options - an area where oral medications excel due to their ease of production, distribution, and affordability in comparison to injectable formulations.

Online pharmacies are growing fastest in the global diabetes drug industry due to the increasing demand for convenient, discreet, and accessible medication delivery, especially among chronic disease patients requiring regular drug refills.

The rapid rise of online pharmacies in the global diabetes drug industry is primarily driven by the growing consumer preference for convenience, timely access, and privacy, particularly for patients managing chronic conditions like diabetes that necessitate consistent and long-term medication use. Online platforms offer a seamless and user-friendly alternative to traditional brick-and-mortar pharmacies, allowing patients to order refills, compare prices, access bulk discounts, and receive medicines directly at their doorstep without the need for travel or waiting in queues.

This is especially valuable for elderly patients, those in remote or underserved areas, or individuals with limited mobility segments that often face challenges accessing physical healthcare infrastructure. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the digital health transformation by normalizing e-commerce in pharmaceuticals, driving widespread adoption of online pharmacies among both consumers and providers. In response, e-pharmacy platforms have expanded their services to include virtual consultations, auto-refill subscriptions, and mobile app integration, enhancing medication adherence and treatment continuity.

In the context of diabetes, where missed doses can have serious health consequences, these features greatly improve disease management outcomes. Online pharmacies also offer a wider range of diabetes drugs, including insulin, oral medications, testing supplies, and even personalized care packages, often at competitive prices thanks to direct-to-consumer models and reduced operational overheads. The ability to access detailed drug information, track shipments, and set reminders further empowers patients in their health journey.

The rapid rise in diabetes prevalence due to urbanization, sedentary lifestyles, and dietary changes is the primary driver of the Asia-Pacific region’s growth in the global diabetes drug industry.

The Asia-Pacific region has emerged as a significant growth engine in the global diabetes drug industry, primarily driven by an alarming increase in diabetes prevalence across both urban and rural populations. This rise is largely attributed to the regions accelerated pace of urbanization, which has brought about dramatic shifts in lifestyle, dietary habits, and physical activity levels. As more people migrate to urban centers in countries like India, China, Indonesia, and the Philippines, traditional diets rich in fiber and low in fats are increasingly being replaced by high-calorie, processed foods.

These changes, combined with reduced physical activity and increased obesity rates, have contributed to a surge in type 2 diabetes cases, which make up the majority of the diabetic population. Furthermore, the genetic predisposition among many Asian populations to develop diabetes at lower BMI thresholds exacerbates the situation, fueling the demand for early diagnosis and long-term treatment. In response, healthcare systems across Asia-Pacific are expanding their focus on chronic disease management, leading to higher uptake of diabetes medications such as metformin, insulin analogs, DPP-4 inhibitors, SGLT2 inhibitors, and combination therapies.

The affordability and availability of generic drugs in developing economies like India, alongside rising healthcare access and insurance coverage in emerging markets, are also boosting consumption. At the same time, governments and private players are investing heavily in awareness campaigns, screening initiatives, and infrastructure development to improve diabetes care. Japan, South Korea, and Australia are witnessing increasing adoption of innovative drug delivery systems and advanced treatment regimens, reflecting a broader trend of technological integration across the region.

• July 2024 - Novo Nordisk A/S received the Complete Response Letter (CRL) covering the Biologics License Application for once-weekly basal insulin icodec for the treatment of diabetes mellitus in the U.S.
• March 2024 - Eli Lilly and Company partnered with Amazon Pharmacy to deliver its GLP-1 drugs through Amazon or Truepill. This increased the global penetration of Mounjaro and Zepbound, the company’s injectable GLP-1 medications.
• January 2024 - Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd. introduced Lirafit - a biosimilar of the anti-diabetic drug, Liraglutide, in India. The per-day price of this drug is around USD 1.21 for a standard dose of 1.2 mg.
• June 2023 - Pfizer Inc. announced that the company continued the clinical development of its oral GLP-1-RA candidate for the treatment of adults suffering from type 2 diabetes and obesity.
• March 2023 - Sanofi (India) received marketing authorization for its diabetes drug Soliqua (in a pre-filled pen) from the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) in India.
• February 2023 - Akums Drugs and Pharmaceutical Limited, a contract drug manufacturing company, announced the launch of the ‘Lobeglitazone’ drug for the treatment of type 2 diabetes in India.

Considered in this report

• Historic Year: 2019
• Base year: 2024
• Estimated year: 2025
• Forecast year: 2030

Aspects covered in this report

• Diabetic Drug Market with its value and forecast along with its segments
• Various drivers and challenges
• On-going trends and developments
• Top profiled companies
• Strategic recommendation

By Drug Class

• Insulin
• GLP-1 Receptor Agonists
• DPP-4 Inhibitors
• SGLT2 Inhibitors
• Others (metformin, sulfonylureas, and combination therapies)

By Diabetes

• Type-1
• Type-2

By Route of Administration

• Oral
• Subcutaneous
• Intravenous

By Distribution Channel

• Hospital Pharmacies
• Retail pharmacies
• Online Pharmacies

The approach of the report:

This report consists of a combined approach of primary as well as secondary research. Initially, secondary research was used to get an understanding of the market and listing out the companies that are present in the market. The secondary research consists of third-party sources such as press releases, annual report of companies, analyzing the government generated reports and databases.

After gathering the data from secondary sources primary research was conducted by making telephonic interviews with the leading players about how the market is functioning and then conducted trade calls with dealers and distributors of the market. Post this we have started doing primary calls to consumers by equally segmenting consumers in regional aspects, tier aspects, age group, and gender. Once we have primary data with us we have started verifying the details obtained from secondary sources.

Intended audience

This report can be useful to industry consultants, manufacturers, suppliers, associations & organizations related to this industry, government bodies and other stakeholders to align their market-centric strategies. In addition to marketing & presentations, it will also increase competitive knowledge about the industry.