Non-opioid Pain Patch Market Size

Non-opioid Pain Patch Market Analysis

The non-opioid pain patch market is expected to register a CAGR of 3.0% during the forecast period.

The COVID-19 pandemic impacted the non-opioid pain patch market since pain management during COVID-19 was challenging. There were critical issues related to transport, relocation, and closing down of healthcare centers. According to the PubMed article published in June 2022, most pain management facilities in this pandemic were compelled to close, leaving patients distressed and adding to their suffering. Also, during the pandemic, the government health authorities of the United States, European Union, United Kingdom, India, and the rest of the world stated that all routine chronic pain services went shut because of the pandemic. As a result, the use of non-opioid pain relievers increased. Furthermore, even though import and export activities were restricted during the pandemic, sales of medical supplies (that includes non-opioid patches, too) are likely to increase in the post-COVID-19 situation. The market is estimated to witness significant growth in the future owing to the rise in research and development in non-opioid patches for pain.

Factors such as an increase in the burden of pain-related diseases, a rise in research and development of non-opioid patches, and benefits associated with non-opioid pain patches over conventional medications are expected to drive market growth over the forecast period.

Similarly, cardiovascular disease (CVD) is one of the main causes of death among the adult population globally. Chronic pain occurs in numerous ways, for instance, from trauma, which could include an accident or back strain due to heavy lifting. It is an underlying disease like pancreatitis, spine disease, arthritis, or autoimmune diseases, or it can occur with fibromyalgia or persistent migraines. For instance, the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center (NSCISC) 2021 datasheet accounted for the annual incidence of spinal cord injuries at 60 cases per million. There are numerous risk factors for chronic pain.

Additionally, as per the International Diabetes Federation 2022 update, 537 million adults (20-79 years) are living with diabetes, and 1 in 10 people will be diagnosed with diabetes in 2021. This number is predicted to rise to 643 million by 2030 and 783 million by 2045. The increasing prevalence of diabetes is likely to increase the chance of diabetic neuropathy. Using non-opioid pain patches significantly improves pain and quality-of-life ratings and may allow the tapering of concomitant analgesic therapy in diabetes patients.

Furthermore, the chronic pain associated with rheumatoid arthritis is one of the major factors boosting the market growth since it continuously impacts a person's day-to-day life, and people tend to adopt reliable, easy-going patches for quick pain relief. For instance, as per the 2021 report from the CDC, the prevalence of doctor-diagnosed arthritis is expected to increase in the coming decades. By 2040, an estimated 78.4 million adults aged 18 years and older (25.9% of the projected adult population) will likely suffer from doctor-diagnosed arthritis. Hence, as the arthritis-affected population increases, the chance of adopting non-opioid patches increases, boosting market growth.

Meanwhile, a few other players are conducting extensive R&D by collaborating with educational institutions to introduce new non-narcotic pain patches. For instance, in May 2022, Hisamitsu America Celebrated Salonpas Day with a Free Patch offer from a doctor-recommended OTC Pain Relief Patch Brand. Salonpas was named the number-one doctor-recommended brand of pain relief patches in the United States in 2021. However, the availability of alternative treatments and the low adoption rate of non-opioid pain patch due to unawareness is expected to impede the growth of the non-opioid pain patch market.

Therefore, due to the rise in the prevalence of pain-related diseases coupled with the strategic activities of the key players, the studied market is anticipated to witness significant growth over the forecast period. However, the availability of alternative treatments and low adoption of non-opioid patches for pain due to unawareness are expected to hamper the market growth.