Global Morphine Market 2025-2035

Description

List of Tables

Morphine Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report by Dosage Form (Tablets, Capsules, Oral Liquids, and Injections), by Application (Major Trauma, Post-Surgical Pain, Labor Pain, and Cancer-Related Pain), by End User (Hospitals & Clinics, and Ambulatory Surgical Centers), Forecast Period (2025-2035)

Industry Overview

Morphine market was valued at $24.8 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach $40.1 billion in 2035, growing at a CAGR of 4.8% during the forecast period (2025-2035). Morphine is an essential medicine used for relieving acute or chronic, moderate to severe pain, triggered by causes such as major trauma, surgery, heart attack, and cancer. Pain relief is felt almost immediately when an adequate dose of morphine is injected, or within 30 minutes when taken orally. Opium and poppy straw, derived from the opium poppy plant (Papaver somniferum), serve as the primary raw materials for extracting alkaloids such as morphine, thebaine, codeine, and oripavine.

Pain management, including the appropriate use of morphine, can eliminate serious health-related suffering by improving quality of life. However, access to morphine and other strong opioids is unequal and inadequate globally. According to the WHO, about one in two deaths every year worldwide is estimated to be associated with serious health-related suffering. Among these deaths, 2.5 million are children, 98% of whom live in low- and middle-income countries. The estimate shows that more than 95% of all the opioids (in morphine equivalent doses) were distributed to high-income countries, with only 0.03% being distributed to low-income countries.

Market Dynamics

Rising Need for Palliative Care

Palliative care is a type of specialized medical care to help maximize the quality of life and minimize the suffering of patients with serious illnesses. Palliative care is required for a wide range of diseases. Most adults who need palliative care have chronic diseases. Estimates show 38.5% of patients needing palliative care have cardiovascular diseases, 34% cancer, 10.3% have chronic respiratory diseases, 5.7% have AIDS, and 4.6% have diabetes. Many other conditions can need palliative care, including kidney failure, chronic liver disease, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, rheumatoid arthritis, neurological disease, dementia, congenital anomalies, and drug-resistant tuberculosis. According to the W.H.O., each year, an estimated 56.8 million people require palliative care, whereas only about 14% of people currently receive it. This is mainly due to the unnecessarily restrictive regulations for morphine and other essential controlled palliative medicines deny access to adequate palliative care.

Risk of Addiction And Abuse

Morphine's potential for addiction and abuse is one of the most important restraints on the morphine market. As a potent opioid, morphine directly affects the brain's reward system, which can lead to dependence when used improperly or for extended periods. This risk of dependence has been an integral contributing factor to the worldwide opioid crisis, and in particular, North America, with extreme overprescription amounts leading to a very high prevalence of misuse and overdose deaths. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) consistently highlights natural and semisynthetic opioids, including morphine, as contributors to prescription drug overdose fatalities. According to the CDC WONDER, in the United States, the number of drug overdose deaths involving prescription opioids increased from 3442 in 1999 to 17029 in 2017, declining to 13026 in 2023.

Market Segmentation

Based on the dosage form, the market is segmented into tablets, capsules, oral liquids, and injections.
Based on the application, the market is segmented into major trauma, post-surgical pain, labor pain, and cancer-related pain.
Based on the end user, the market is segmented into hospitals & clinics, and ambulatory surgical centers.

Morphine in Pain Relief

Morphine is one of the most important opioids, and it is often relied upon for much of moderate to severe pain management, especially in cancer treatment, post-surgical pain, and with palliative care. The International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) reported in 2023 that "of the morphine manufactured, only 18% of it (32.5 tons) ended up being consumed for pain relief. Injectable morphine is highly utilized due to its rapid action and effectiveness in acute and hospital-based care. Even though it is on the WHO Essential Medicines List, regulations and lack of access continue to limit its larger use for pain management.

Regional Outlook

According to the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB), in the 20-year period 2004-2023, the global manufacture of morphine initially increased, from 354.8 tons manufactured in 2004 to 475.3 tons in 2012, when global morphine manufacture reached its peak. After 2012, global manufacturing followed a decreasing trend, falling to 178.8 tons in 2023, a considerable decrease from the 218.4 tons manufactured in 2022. During the year, of the total quantity of morphine available (300.5 tons, including quantities manufactured and opening stocks), more than half (156.2 tons, or 51.9 per cent) was utilized for the manufacture of other drugs (mostly codeine). A large amount, 107.2 tons, or 35.6 per cent, of the total amount of morphine available at the beginning of 2023 remained in stock at the end of the year. Only 32.5 tons, or 10.8 per cent, were consumed directly for palliative care.

The global Morphine market is further divided by geography, including North America (the US and Canada), Europe (the UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Russia, and the Rest of Europe), Asia-Pacific (India, China, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand, ASEAN Countries, and the Rest of Asia-Pacific), and the Rest of the World (the Middle East & Africa, and Latin America).

North America holds the largest market share.

North America has a lead share of the global morphine market, owing to the region's relatively higher prevalence of chronic pain conditions, developed health care systems, and high availability of prescription opioids. The United States accounted for substantial consumption due to the support for pain management, a large aging population requiring long-term opioid therapy. The presence of major pharmaceutical manufacturers further strengthens North America's dominant position in the market. According to INCB, in 2023, the U.S. was one of the leading manufacturers of morphine, accounting for 10.5 tons (or 5.9 per cent) of global manufacture.

Europe, a Morphine Manufacturing Hub

Europe is the second-largest market for morphine, with robust healthcare systems and extensive opioid use for cancer-related and palliative pain. Major consumers include Germany, the United Kingdom, and France, with better regulatory systems to provide safe and reliable access. Also, Europe is the world leader in morphine manufacturing; according to the INCB, in 2023, France produced 75.3 tons (42.1%) of global morphine production, Norway was 34.7 tons (19.4%), and the United Kingdom was 11.9 tons (6.7%). This significant raw production capacity underscores Europe's key position in both the global demand and supply of morphine.

Market Players Outlook

The major companies operating in the global morphine market include Mallinckrodt plc, Pfizer Inc., Taj Pharmaceuticals Limited, Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., Mayne Pharma Group Limited, among others. Market players are leveraging partnerships, collaborations, mergers, and acquisition strategies for business expansion and innovative product development to maintain their market positioning.

Recent Developments

In July 2025, Hikma Pharmaceuticals PLC (Hikma) launched Morphine Sulfate Injection, USP, in 2mg/mL and 4mg/mL doses in the US. The product has been launched in a prefilled syringe form and is indicated for the management of pain severe enough to require an opioid analgesic and for which alternative treatments are inadequate.
In September 2024, Pharmascience Canada launched pms-MORPHINE SULFATE 5mg and 10mg TABS (morphine sulfate tablets), a treatment for symptomatic relief of severe chronic pain in adults aged 18 to 65.

The Report Covers:

Market value data analysis of 2024 and forecast to 2035.
Annualized market revenues ($ million) for each market segment.
Country-wise analysis of major geographical regions.
Key companies operating in the global morphine market. Based on the availability of data, information related to new products and relevant news is also available in the report.
Analysis of business strategies by identifying the key market segments positioned for strong growth in the future.
Analysis of market-entry and market expansion strategies.
Competitive strategies by identifying 'who-stands-where' in the market.

Product Code: OMR2021930

1. Report Summary

Current Industry Analysis and Growth Potential Outlook
Global Morphine Market Sales Analysis - Dosage Form | Application | End User ($ Million)
Morphine Market Sales Performance of Top Countries
1.1. Research Methodology
Primary Research Approach
Secondary Research Approach
1.2. Market Snapshot

2. Market Overview and Insights

2.1. Scope of the Study
2.2. Analyst Insight & Current Market Trends
- 2.2.1. Key Morphine Industry Trends
- 2.2.2. Market Recommendations
2.3. Porter's Five Forces Analysis for the Morphine Market
- 2.3.1. Competitive Rivalry
- 2.3.2. Threat of New Entrants
- 2.3.3. Bargaining Power of Suppliers
- 2.3.4. Bargaining Power of Buyers
- 2.3.5. Threat of Substitutes

3. Market Determinants

3.1. Market Drivers
- 3.1.1. Drivers For the Global Morphine Market: Impact Analysis
3.2. Market Pain Points and Challenges
- 3.2.1. Restraints For the Global Morphine Market: Impact Analysis
3.3. Market Opportunities
- 3.3.1. Opportunities For the Global Morphine Market: Impact Analysis

4. Competitive Landscape

4.1. Competitive Dashboard - Morphine Market Revenue and Share by Manufacturers
Morphine Product Comparison Analysis
Top Market Player Ranking Matrix
4.2. Key Company Analysis
- 4.2.1. Mallinckrodt plc
  - 4.2.1.1. Overview
  - 4.2.1.2. Product Portfolio
  - 4.2.1.3. Financial Analysis (Subject to Data Availability)
  - 4.2.1.4. SWOT Analysis
  - 4.2.1.5. Business Strategy
- 4.2.2. Mayne Pharma Group Limited
  - 4.2.2.1. Overview
  - 4.2.2.2. Product Portfolio
  - 4.2.2.3. Financial Analysis (Subject to Data Availability)
  - 4.2.2.4. SWOT Analysis
  - 4.2.2.5. Business Strategy
- 4.2.3. Pfizer Inc.
  - 4.2.3.1. Overview
  - 4.2.3.2. Product Portfolio
  - 4.2.3.3. Financial Analysis (Subject to Data Availability)
  - 4.2.3.4. SWOT Analysis
  - 4.2.3.5. Business Strategy
- 4.2.4. Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.
  - 4.2.4.1. Overview
  - 4.2.4.2. Product Portfolio
  - 4.2.4.3. Financial Analysis (Subject to Data Availability)
  - 4.2.4.4. SWOT Analysis
  - 4.2.4.5. Business Strategy
- 4.2.5. Taj Pharmaceuticals Limited
  - 4.2.5.1. Overview
  - 4.2.5.2. Product Portfolio
  - 4.2.5.3. Financial Analysis (Subject to Data Availability)
  - 4.2.5.4. SWOT Analysis
  - 4.2.5.5. Business Strategy
4.3. Top Winning Strategies by Market Players
- 4.3.1. Merger and Acquisition
- 4.3.2. Product Launch
- 4.3.3. Partnership And Collaboration

5. Global Morphine Market Sales Analysis by Dosage Form ($ Million)

5.1. Tablets
5.2. Capsules
5.3. Oral Liquids
5.4. Injections

6. Global Morphine Market Sales Analysis by Application ($ Million)

6.1. Major Trauma
6.2. Post-Surgical Pain
6.3. Labor Pain
6.4. Cancer-Related Pain

7. Global Morphine Market Sales Analysis by End User ($ Million)

7.1. Hospitals & Clinics
7.2. Ambulatory Surgical Centers

8. Regional Analysis

8.1. North America Morphine Market Sales Analysis - Dosage Form | Application | End User | Country ($ Million)
Macroeconomic Factors for North America
- 8.1.1. United States
- 8.1.2. Canada
8.2. European Morphine Market Sales Analysis - Dosage Form | Application | End User | Country ($ Million)
Macroeconomic Factors for Europe
- 8.2.1. UK
- 8.2.2. Germany
- 8.2.3. Italy
- 8.2.4. Spain
- 8.2.5. France
- 8.2.6. Russia
- 8.2.7. Rest of Europe
8.3. Asia-Pacific Morphine Market Sales Analysis - Dosage Form | Application | End User | Country ($ Million)
Macroeconomic Factors for Asia-Pacific
- 8.3.1. China
- 8.3.2. Japan
- 8.3.3. South Korea
- 8.3.4. India
- 8.3.5. Australia & New Zealand
- 8.3.6. ASEAN Countries (Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Singapore, And Other)
- 8.3.7. Rest of Asia-Pacific
8.4. Rest of the World Morphine Market Sales Analysis - Dosage Form | Application | End User | Country ($ Million)
Macroeconomic Factors for the Rest of the World
- 8.4.1. Latin America
- 8.4.2. Middle East and Africa

9. Company Profiles

9.1. Boehringer Ingelheim (Roxane Laboratories)
- 9.1.1. Quick Facts
- 9.1.2. Company Overview
- 9.1.3. Product Portfolio
- 9.1.4. Business Strategies
9.2. Ethypharm Group
- 9.2.1. Quick Facts
- 9.2.2. Company Overview
- 9.2.3. Product Portfolio
- 9.2.4. Business Strategies
9.3. Fresenius Kabi USA, LLC
- 9.3.1. Quick Facts
- 9.3.2. Company Overview
- 9.3.3. Product Portfolio
- 9.3.4. Business Strategies
9.4. GL Pharma
- 9.4.1. Quick Facts
- 9.4.2. Company Overview
- 9.4.3. Product Portfolio
- 9.4.4. Business Strategies
9.5. Hikma Pharmaceuticals PLC
- 9.5.1. Quick Facts
- 9.5.2. Company Overview
- 9.5.3. Product Portfolio
- 9.5.4. Business Strategies
9.6. Ilko Pharmaceutical Industry and Trade Inc.
- 9.6.1. Quick Facts
- 9.6.2. Company Overview
- 9.6.3. Product Portfolio
- 9.6.4. Business Strategies
9.7. Mallinckrodt plc
- 9.7.1. Quick Facts
- 9.7.2. Company Overview
- 9.7.3. Product Portfolio
- 9.7.4. Business Strategies
9.8. Mayne Pharma Group Limited
- 9.8.1. Quick Facts
- 9.8.2. Company Overview
- 9.8.3. Product Portfolio
- 9.8.4. Business Strategies
9.9. Napp Pharmaceuticals Limited
- 9.9.1. Quick Facts
- 9.9.2. Company Overview
- 9.9.3. Product Portfolio
- 9.9.4. Business Strategies
9.10. Pfizer Inc.
- 9.10.1. Quick Facts
- 9.10.2. Company Overview
- 9.10.3. Product Portfolio
- 9.10.4. Business Strategies
9.11. Piramal Critical Care, Inc.
- 9.11.1. Quick Facts
- 9.11.2. Company Overview
- 9.11.3. Product Portfolio
- 9.11.4. Business Strategies
9.12. Purdue Pharma L.P.
- 9.12.1. Quick Facts
- 9.12.2. Company Overview
- 9.12.3. Product Portfolio
- 9.12.4. Business Strategies
9.13. Sandoz Canada Inc.
- 9.13.1. Quick Facts
- 9.13.2. Company Overview
- 9.13.3. Product Portfolio
- 9.13.4. Business Strategies
9.14. Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.
- 9.14.1. Quick Facts
- 9.14.2. Company Overview
- 9.14.3. Product Portfolio
- 9.14.4. Business Strategies
9.15. Taj Pharmaceuticals Limited
- 9.15.1. Quick Facts
- 9.15.2. Company Overview
- 9.15.3. Product Portfolio
- 9.15.4. Business Strategies
9.16. Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc.
- 9.16.1. Quick Facts
- 9.16.2. Company Overview
- 9.16.3. Product Portfolio
- 9.16.4. Business Strategies
9.17. Veranova, L.P.
- 9.17.1. Quick Facts
- 9.17.2. Company Overview
- 9.17.3. Product Portfolio
- 9.17.4. Business Strategies