Critical Care Drugs Market Report 2025

The critical care drugs market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $1.06 billion in 2024 to $1.13 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.6%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to an increase in ICU admissions, rising prevalence of chronic and life-threatening conditions, growing number of surgical procedures, an aging global population, higher incidence of trauma and accidents, and recurrent outbreaks of infectious diseases.

The critical care drugs market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $1.44 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.2%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to the rising prevalence of multi-organ failure, increasing demand for advanced ICU therapies, a growing geriatric population with complex health conditions, expansion of hospital infrastructure in emerging economies, rising incidences of antimicrobial resistance, heightened focus on rapid-response emergency care, and increasing investments in novel drug development for acute conditions. Major trends during this period include the development of novel biologics, adoption of AI in ICU drug management, advancements in personalized medicine, innovations in drug delivery systems, expansion of tele-ICU services, continuous improvements in sepsis and shock treatments, and integration of nanotechnology to enhance drug efficacy.

The rising number of surgical procedures is expected to propel the growth of the critical care drugs market going forward. Surgical procedures are medical interventions performed to treat injuries, diseases, or chronic conditions, often requiring anesthesia, post-operative care, and specialized medications. The increase in surgical procedures is driven by the growing prevalence of chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disorders, diabetes, and cancer, which frequently necessitate operative treatment. Critical care drugs support these procedures by managing pain, stabilizing vital signs, preventing infections, and aiding recovery during and after surgery. For instance, in May 2025, the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare reported that around 778,500 patients were admitted for surgery from public hospital waiting lists in 2023-24, marking a 5.8% increase compared to 2022-23. Therefore, the rising number of surgical procedures is driving the growth of the critical care drugs market.

Key companies in the market are emphasizing strategic partnerships to advance innovation in emergency care therapies. Strategic alliances enable shared expertise and resources to accelerate research, development, and market access for novel critical care drugs, enhancing clinical trial efficiency and product availability. For instance, in March 2024, Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd., an India-based pharmaceutical company, partnered with Pharmazz Inc., a US-based firm, to launch Centhaquine, a resuscitative drug for hypovolemic shock, in India under the brand Lyfaquin. Dr. Reddy’s received exclusive marketing and distribution rights in India and Nepal, while Pharmazz benefits from upfront payments and royalties, strengthening Dr. Reddy’s critical care portfolio with an innovative emergency therapy.

In October 2024, Mankind Pharma Limited, an India-based pharmaceutical company, acquired Bharat Serums and Vaccines Limited (BSV) for $1.603 billion (INR 13,768 crores). This acquisition enhances Mankind Pharma’s presence in the critical care drugs market by providing access to BSV’s complex biologics, robust research and development capabilities, and established leadership in hospital-focused therapies. Bharat Serums and Vaccines Limited specializes in manufacturing critical care and emergency medicines, further supporting Mankind Pharma’s growth in this segment.

Major players in the critical care drugs market are Intas Pharmaceuticals, Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., Aurobindo Pharma, Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd., Cipla Ltd., Lupin Ltd., Zydus Lifesciences Limited, Cargus Biopharma, Glenmark Pharmaceuticals, Torrent Pharmaceuticals, Mankind Pharma, Novalab Healthcare, Arlak Biotech Ltd., Pax Healthcare, SwissChem Healthcare, Iskon Remedies, Salvus Pharma, Fortune Labs, H&I Critical Care, and Biofield Pharma.

North America was the largest region in the critical care drugs market in 2024. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in critical care drugs market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa. The countries covered in the critical care drugs market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report’s Recommendations and Conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.

The sudden escalation of U.S. tariffs and the consequent trade frictions in spring 2025 are severely impacting the pharmaceutical companies contend with tariffs on APIs, glass vials, and lab equipment inputs with few alternative sources. Generic drug makers, operating on razor-thin margins, are especially vulnerable, with some reducing production of low-profit medicines. Biotech firms face delays in clinical trials due to tariff-related shortages of specialized reagents. In response, the industry is expanding API production in India and Europe, increasing inventory stockpiles, and pushing for trade exemptions for essential medicines.

Critical care drugs are specialized medications employed to manage life-threatening conditions in intensive care settings. They are formulated to stabilize vital functions, including heart rate, blood pressure, and respiratory activity. Due to their potent effects and narrow therapeutic windows, these drugs require precise dosing and careful monitoring.

The primary types of critical care drugs include opioids such as morphine, pethidine, naloxone, and fentanyl, as well as benzodiazepines like diazepam, midazolam, lorazepam, and others. Opioids are used in critical care to manage moderate to severe pain, particularly in trauma cases, post-operative recovery, and ICU patients. These drugs are essential for clinical applications such as sepsis and septic shock, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), acute cardiovascular events, acute kidney injury, and traumatic injuries. They are administered via various routes, including intravenous (IV), intramuscular (IM), inhalation, and subcutaneous, and are widely used in intensive care units (ICUs), coronary care units (CCUs), operation theaters, and trauma centers.

The critical care drugs market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides critical care drugs market statistics, including the critical care drugs industry's global market size, regional shares, competitors with the critical care drugs market share, detailed critical care drugs market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the critical care drugs market. This critical care drugs market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenarios of the industry.

The critical care drugs market consists of sales of vasopressors, inotropes, sedatives, neuromuscular blockers, anticoagulants, analgesics, and antibiotics. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is, the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

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