Contraceptive Pills Market Size

Contraceptive Pills Market Analysis

The contraceptive pills market is poised to register a CAGR of 9% during the forecast period.

The COVID-19 pandemic had a substantial impact on the contraceptive pills market. Several guidelines are being introduced about contraceptive pills that have benefitted the market during the COVID-19 pandemic. For instance, according to the guidelines by MoHFW published in October 2021 by the government of India, oral contraceptive pills should be freely available in all public health facilities (including the COVID care facilities). According to the same source, extra packets (at least two months' supply) of oral contraceptive pills can be handed over to repeat clients to avoid multiple contacts. Thus, the demand for contraceptive pills remained significant during the pandemic. 

However, with the introduction of vaccines, government authorities and healthcare organizations have recommended reducing the consumption of contraceptive pills before administering vaccines. For instance, according to an April 2021 update by the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), the ACIP made a resolution to add related reminding messages on the notice of "precautions to take before COVID-19 vaccination with AstraZeneca vaccine." Taking contraceptive pills and undergoing hormone therapy are risk factors for blood clotting, thus, people receiving these treatments are advised to pause the process at least 28 days before and after inoculation at this stage. Hence, the COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on the market initially. However, as the pandemic subsided, the market is expected to have a stable growth during the forecast period.

Furthermore, the increasing rate of unintended pregnancies is a major factor driving the demand for contraceptive pills, thereby contributing to the market growth. For instance, according to a March 2021 update by the United Nations Populations Fund, the number of unintended pregnancies was 1.4 million across 115 low- and middle-income countries. Thus, such statistics indicate the increasing demand for contraceptive pills across the globe, thereby contributing to the market growth.

Additonally, various initiatives taken by governments worldwide is also expected to boost the market growth. For instance, according to the Council of Ministers of Spain in May 2022, the Spainish government reformed the law regarding sexual and reproductive health and the voluntary interruption of pregnancy. New measures on sexuality education and contraception, menstrual health, pregnancy, childbirth, abortion, and reproductive violence was taken. It was also mentioned that the morning-after contraceptive pill will be made available free of charge in health centres and future public centres specialising in sexual and reproductive rights, and must be available in all pharmacies.

Moreover, several developments by key market players are expected to further boost the market growth. For instance, in April 2021, Mayne Pharma reported that the US FDA had approved NEXTSTELLIS (3 mg drospirenone [DRSP] and 14.2 mg estetrol [E4] tablets) for the prevention of pregnancy. NEXTSTELLIS is the first and only contraceptive pill containing E4, a naturally occurring estrogen, now produced from a plant source, with a unique mechanism of action that offers potential advantages over other estrogens.

Therefore, owing to the abovementioned factors, the market studied is anticipated to witness growth over the forecast period. However, side effects associated with the use of contraceptive drugs and increased usage of alternative birth control methods are the factors expected to hinder market growth over the forecast period.