PUBLISHER: The Business Research Company | PRODUCT CODE: 1760699
PUBLISHER: The Business Research Company | PRODUCT CODE: 1760699
Prescription pain medication refers to drugs that are legally prescribed by a licensed healthcare provider to manage moderate to severe pain. These medications are stronger than over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers and are used when pain cannot be sufficiently controlled with non-prescription options.
The main types of prescription pain medications include prescription non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), opioids, anti-epileptic medications, antidepressants, and other types. Prescription NSAIDs are medications prescribed by healthcare professionals to reduce inflammation, relieve pain, and lower fever by inhibiting cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes. These medications can be administered through various routes, such as oral, injectable, transdermal, and others. They are used to treat a wide range of conditions, including neuropathic pain, cancer pain, post-operative pain, and more. These drugs are distributed through various channels, including hospital pharmacies, retail pharmacies, and online pharmacies.
The prescription pain medications market research report is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company that provides prescription pain medications market statistics, including the prescription pain medications industry's global market size, regional shares, competitors with the prescription pain medications market share, detailed prescription pain medications market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the prescription pain medications market. This prescription pain medications 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 prescription pain medication market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $73.59 billion in 2024 to $77.97 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.9%. The growth during the historic period can be attributed to factors such as the increasing prevalence of chronic pain, a rising number of surgical procedures, a growing focus on palliative care, and an increase in musculoskeletal disorders.
The prescription pain medication market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $97.23 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.7%. In the forecast period, growth is expected to be driven by factors such as the increasing demand for personalized medicine, a growing focus on post-traumatic pain management, greater adoption of telemedicine for pain management, a rising number of patients seeking opioid alternatives, and an increasing prevalence of neuropathic pain. Key trends during this period include the development of non-opioid pain alternatives, the integration of digital health solutions, innovation in targeted pain therapies, the development of combination pain medications, and advancements in non-addictive pain medications.
The growing prevalence of arthritis is expected to drive the expansion of the prescription pain medication market. Arthritis, which causes inflammation in one or more joints, leads to pain, swelling, stiffness, and reduced mobility. The rising prevalence of arthritis is largely attributed to obesity, as excess weight places additional stress on joints, especially the knees, and promotes inflammation. Prescription pain medications help manage arthritis by reducing inflammation and pain, improving joint function, and enhancing the overall quality of life for those affected. For example, in March 2023, the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, a UK-based government department, reported that in 2022, 17.6% of people aged 16 and older had arthritis or an ongoing back or joint problem, up from 17.0% in 2021. As a result, the increasing prevalence of arthritis is driving growth in the prescription pain medication market.
Companies in the prescription pain medication market are focusing on developing alternative therapies, such as non-opioid painkillers, in response to growing concerns about opioid addiction and patient safety. Non-opioid painkillers provide pain relief without the addictive risks of opioids, offering safer and more effective long-term pain management solutions while reducing the potential for addiction and overdose. For instance, in January 2025, Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated, a US-based biotechnology company, received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for JOURNAVX, a first-in-class non-opioid oral medication. This medication selectively blocks NaV1.8 sodium channels in peripheral nerves to inhibit pain signals without affecting the central nervous system, offering effective acute pain relief without the risk of addiction. It has shown clinically meaningful pain reduction in Phase 3 trials for abdominoplasty and bunionectomy with a twice-daily dosing regimen, and it is not classified as a controlled substance, addressing the need for safer acute pain management.
In October 2022, Pfizer Inc., a US-based pharmaceutical company, acquired Biohaven Pharmaceuticals for $11.6 billion. This acquisition allows Pfizer to strengthen and expand its migraine treatment portfolio, accelerate the commercialization of innovative therapies, and enhance its internal medicine pipeline for sustained growth. Biohaven Pharmaceuticals, a US-based biopharmaceutical company, manufactures prescription pain medications.
Major players in the prescription pain medication market are Mallinckrodt Public Limited Company, Pfizer Inc., Johnson And Johnson, Merck And Co. Inc., AbbVie Inc., Bayer AG, Sanofi S.A., Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, AstraZeneca plc, Novartis International AG, GlaxoSmithKline Public Limited Company, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, Eli Lilly And Company, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH, Mylan N.V., Sandoz, Inc, Bausch Health Companies Inc., Purdue Pharma L.P., Endo International Plc.
North America was the largest region in the prescription pain medication market in 2024. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in prescription pain medication report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa.
The countries covered in the prescription pain medication market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.
The prescription pain medication market consists of sales of acetaminophen, antidepressants, anticonvulsants, muscle relaxants, and biologic pain medications. 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 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.
Prescription Pain Medication Global Market Report 2025 from The Business Research Company provides strategists, marketers and senior management with the critical information they need to assess the market.
This report focuses on prescription pain medication market which is experiencing strong growth. The report gives a guide to the trends which will be shaping the market over the next ten years and beyond.
Where is the largest and fastest growing market for prescription pain medication ? How does the market relate to the overall economy, demography and other similar markets? What forces will shape the market going forward? The prescription pain medication market global report from the Business Research Company answers all these questions and many more.
The report covers market characteristics, size and growth, segmentation, regional and country breakdowns, competitive landscape, market shares, trends and strategies for this market. It traces the market's historic and forecast market growth by geography.
The forecasts are made after considering the major factors currently impacting the market. These include the Russia-Ukraine war, rising inflation, higher interest rates, and the legacy of the COVID-19 pandemic.