Topical Drug Delivery Market by Product (Semi-solid, Liquid, Solid, Transdermal), Route of Administration (Dermal, Rectal, Ophthalmic, Vaginal, Nasal), End-User (Home Care Settings, Hospitals & Clinics, Burn Centers), & Region for 2024- 2031

Topical Drug Delivery Market Valuation - 2024-2031

The need for localized and targeted drug delivery methods that provide benefits like direct application to the affected area, reduced systemic side effects, and improved patient compliance has propelled the topical drug delivery market. According to the analyst from Verified Market Research, the topical drug delivery market is estimated to reach a valuation of USD 177.97 Billion by 2031 over the forecast subjugating around USD 109.16 Billion valued in 2024.

Developments in formulation technologies have made a substantial contribution to the growth of the topical drug delivery market. These advancements improve the permeability and efficacy of active pharmaceutical ingredients, providing more effective treatment options for a variety of dermatological disorders and encouraging innovation in drug delivery systems. It enables the market to grow at a CAGR of 6.3% from 2024 to 2031.

Topical Drug Delivery Market: Definition/Overview

Topical drug delivery is the process of putting drugs directly into the skin or mucous membranes to treat localized ailments. It enables tailored treatment while reducing overall exposure. Creams, ointments, gels, lotions, and transdermal patches are among the most common topical preparations. Topical drug delivery is commonly used to treat skin conditions such as acne, eczema, and psoriasis. It is also used for delivering drugs to the eyes, nose, ears, and genitals. The primary benefits include increased patient compliance, fewer side effects, and avoidance of first-pass metabolism.

What are the Drivers Influencing the Growth of the Topical Drug Delivery Market?

The rising prevalence of dermatological disorders is a major driver in the topical drug delivery market. According to the Global Burden of Disease report, published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology, skin illnesses afflicted 1.9 billion people worldwide in 2019. Acne is the most common skin problem in the United States, with up to 50 million people affected each year, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. The growing prevalence of skin problems needs effective topical therapies, which drives the demand for enhanced topical drug delivery systems.

The world's growing older population has a substantial impact on the topical drug delivery market. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the proportion of the global population over the age of 60 will nearly double between 2015 and 2050, from 12% to 22%. Older people are more vulnerable to a variety of skin problems and chronic diseases that can be treated with topical medicines. For example, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) claims that more than 90% of persons over the age of 65 have at least one chronic illness, many of which can be treated with topical medications.

Furthermore, topical drug delivery technology advancements are fueling market expansion. In 2019, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized 48 new medications, including many with novel delivery mechanisms, such as topical formulations. For example, the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER) reported that between 2015 and 2019, dermatological disorders accounted for nearly 8% of all new drug approvals, with many of them using innovative topical delivery systems. This development suggests an increasing demand for novel topical drug delivery systems.

What are the Main Challenges Faced by the Topical Drug Delivery Market?

The restricted capacity of certain formulations to successfully permeate the skin barrier is one of the main barriers to the topical drug delivery market. The skin functions as a protective barrier, preventing many active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) from being properly absorbed. This constraint affects the therapeutic efficacy of topical treatments, especially for medicines with large molecular sizes or that are poorly lipid-soluble, limiting their application in clinical practice.

Furthermore, the expansion of the topical drug delivery market is further hampered by increased competition from alternative drug delivery methods such as oral and injectable routes. These options have faster systemic effects and broader applicability, making them more tempting under certain circumstances. As a result, healthcare providers and patients prefer these procedures to topical treatments.

Category-wise Acumens

What Factors Contribute to the Increasing Demand for Semi-solid Formulations?

According to VMR analyst, the semi-solid formulation segment is expected to dominate the segment within the topical drug delivery market during the forecast period. Semi-solid formulations, such as creams and ointments, are popular due to their ease of use. Their consistency enables a smooth spread across the skin, increasing patient compliance. This ease of use makes them especially appealing to people with chronic skin diseases, resulting in increased demand and market dominance.

Semi-solid formulations can effectively transport a diverse range of active medicinal components, including hydrophilic and lipophilic medicines. This versatility allows healthcare professionals to customize treatments for a wide range of dermatological problems, from infections to inflammatory diseases, increasing their popularity and market share in the topical drug delivery market.

Furthermore, semi-solid product formulations allow for better skin penetration and localized action, which can improve therapeutic results. This feature is critical for treating illnesses such as psoriasis and eczema, where precise distribution is required. As a result, the efficacy of semi-solid formulations plays an important role in maintaining their market leadership.

How does Dermal Drug Delivery Propel the Topical Drug Delivery Market?

The dermal drug delivery segment is estimated to hold the largest share of the topical drug delivery market during the forecast period. The rising prevalence of skin disorders such as psoriasis, eczema, and acne has increased demand for dermal drug delivery methods. As more people seek effective treatments for various chronic illnesses, the need for focused topical medicines has grown, resulting in increased market penetration of dermal formulations.

Dermal drug delivery systems are popular because of their ease of use and self-administration capabilities. Patients prefer topical applications to invasive procedures since they can apply therapies at home without the need for medical intervention. This convenience increases patient compliance and fuels the expansion of the dermal drug delivery segment.

Furthermore, continuous advancements in formulation technology, such as improved permeation techniques and innovative delivery systems, have increased the efficacy of dermal drug delivery. These developments enable improved absorption of active substances across the skin barrier, boosting therapy efficacy and broadening the variety of disorders that can be addressed via dermal applications.

Country/Region-wise Acumens

How will the Demand for Topical Drug Delivery in North America Influence the Market?

North America region is estimated to dominate the topical drug delivery market during the forecast period. North America has a large population suffering from numerous skin disorders, which drives the need for topical drug delivery devices. According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association (AAD), psoriasis affects around 7.5 million people in the United States. Also, the National Eczema Association claims that approximately 31 million Americans suffer some form of eczema. These high incidence rates contribute to higher adoption of topical medicines, hence driving market expansion in the region.

Furthermore, the increased prevalence of diabetes in North America is increasing the demand for topical drug delivery devices, especially for wound treatment. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 37.3 million Americans (11.3% of the total population) had diabetes in 2019. Diabetic patients frequently need topical treatments for wound healing and foot care. According to the American Diabetes Association, around 25% of patients with diabetes may develop a foot ulcer over their lifetime, necessitating sophisticated wound care solutions and boosting the topical drug delivery market.

What Factor Contributes to the Growth of Topical Drug Delivery in Asia Pacific?

The Asia Pacific region is estimated to exhibit the highest growth within the topical drug delivery market during the forecast period. The Asia Pacific region is experiencing a considerable increase in skin illnesses, which is boosting demand for topical drug delivery devices. According to the Global Burden of Disease Study, published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology, the disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) for all skin illnesses in East Asia increased by 33.2% between 1990 and 2017. In Southeast Asia, the growth was much more extreme, reaching 47.6%. For example, a study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology found that the prevalence of atopic dermatitis in children in various Asian nations is between 20% and 30%, which is higher than the global average of 15-20%.

Furthermore, the Asia Pacific region's increased healthcare expenditure and improved healthcare infrastructure are propelling the topical drug delivery market forward. According to the World Bank, current health expenditure as a proportion of GDP in East Asia and the Pacific rose from 6.4% in 2010 to 7.2% in 2019. In South Asia, it increased from 3.5% to 3.9% over the same period. This increasing healthcare spending has resulted in improved access to innovative medical therapies, such as topical drug delivery systems. For example, in China, healthcare spending per person has more than quadrupled from $289 in 2010 to $535 in 2019, indicating a booming market for pharmaceutical products, including topical treatments.

Competitive Landscape

The topical drug delivery market is characterized by fierce rivalry and the presence of both major pharmaceutical corporations and new players. Established companies have a strong foothold due to their comprehensive product portfolios, large distribution networks, and well-known brand names.

Some of the prominent players operating in the topical drug delivery market include:

Hisamitsu Pharmaceuticals

Bayer AG

Novartis AG

Galderma Holding SA

GlaxoSmithKline PLC

Johnson & Johnson Private Limited

Bausch Health Companies, Inc.

Cipla Limited

3M Company

Merck & Co., Inc.

Crescita Therapeutics, Inc.

Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH

Pfizer Inc.

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.

Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd

Latest Developments:

In February 2021, Aimirall S.A. announced that MC2 Therapeutics granted Almirall exclusive European rights to market Wynzora(R) Cream for plaque psoriasis treatment. MC2 Therapeutics will receive a EUR 15 million upfront payment, sales milestone payments, and double-digit royalties from Wynzora(R) Cream sales in Europe.