Saudi Arabia Diabetes Drugs Market Size & Share Analysis - Growth Trends And Forecast (2025 - 2030)

Saudi Arabia Diabetes Drugs Market Trends and Insights

Growing prevalence of obesity & sedentary lifestyles

Obesity stabilized at 21.4% in 2023, yet 18.8% of obese Saudis already live with diabetes. Among people under 30, 14% now have the disease. Sugary beverages and fast food remain dietary staples, especially in cities, while adherence to the Ministry of Health guideline of 150 minutes of weekly exercise is weak. Demand therefore leans toward agents that address glycemic control and weight, positioning GLP-1 products as first-line injectable choices. The government spends USD 26 billion yearly on diabetes care, making prevention a parallel priority.

Rising reimbursement for innovative antidiabetics

The Council of Health Insurance’s Saudi Billing System has standardized codes and improved transparency, smoothing the path for premium therapies. Private-insurance uptake should widen by 2030, expanding access for urban professionals. Managed-entry agreements balance cost and value, allowing companies to collect real-world evidence while patients gain earlier access. Oral semaglutide cut HbA1c by 3.1% at 6 months in local studies, proof that outcomes-based payments can work. Pharmaceutical firms now invest more heavily in post-market surveillance, encouraged by these reimbursement shifts.

National Transformation Program focus on chronic diseases

NTP-driven primary-care reform pushed visits up 37.5% and improved satisfaction 4.7% since 2016. Systematic screenings uncover undiagnosed cases earlier, prompting timely drug initiation. Digital tools such as the Sehhaty app have delivered more than 1.6 million virtual consultations, streamlining prescription refills. The workforce plan to hire 175,000 health professionals by 2030 should relieve bottlenecks, while 100 public-private partnerships will inject USD 12.8 billion into new capacity.

Expansion of private-sector specialty diabetes centers

Vision 2030 aims to boost the private share of care to 65%. Almoosa Health’s IPO and 730-bed pipeline illustrate investor appetite. Centers employ multidisciplinary teams; King Saud University Medical City’s unit couples endocrinology and lifestyle coaching. Studies tie patient-centered care to higher satisfaction, especially in physical comfort and continuity. Angel and sovereign investors now target diagnostic and telehealth start-ups, further enhancing specialty-care capacity.

High cost of GLP-1s & novel dual agonists

Premium pricing limits access even though GLP-1s lower complications over time. A global shortage has heightened prices; biosimilar competition is sparse because manufacturing is complex. Tirzepatide hits HbA1c goals for nearly two-thirds of local users, yet the out-of-pocket burden still deters uptake. Generic liraglutide by Hikma could narrow the gap, but material price relief remains gradual. Insurers test managed-entry models to widen coverage but progress varies across schemes.

Stringent SFDA pharmacovigilance delaying biosimilar launches

The SFDA demands extensive post-market safety data, which can extend launch timelines by up to 12 months. Authorities focus on pancreatitis risks seen in global GLP-1 reports, justifying the cautious stance.^{[3]N. Alfageh et al., “Overview of Online Pharmacy Regulations in Saudi Arabia and the GCC,” Frontiers in Pharmacology, frontiersin.org}Biosimilars rarely qualify for the breakthrough pathway, so queues form behind innovative filings. The industry seeks aligned standards with the EMA and FDA to reduce delays while maintaining safety rigor.

Segment Analysis

By Drug Class: Insulins Maintain Dominance Amid Injectable Innovation

Insulins captured 51.23% of Saudi Arabia diabetes drugs market share in 2024. Stable treatment algorithms, broad physician familiarity and reimbursement support keep demand strong. Saudi Arabia diabetes drugs market size for insulins is projected to climb steadily though at a slower pace than innovative injectables. Once-weekly insulin icodec promises higher adherence, and localization efforts by NUPCO, Novo Nordisk and Sanofi strengthen supply security. 

Non-insulin injectables are forecast to post a 9.13% CAGR to 2030, the quickest among all classes. Local evidence shows oral semaglutide trimming HbA1c by 3.1% at 6 months and tirzepatide enabling 64.1% of patients to reach targets within 40 weeks. Combined with notable weight reductions, these outcomes drive rapid uptake in insured urban cohorts. Biosimilar makers are preparing GLP-1 filings to ride the wave once regulatory clarity improves.

Note: Segment shares of all individual segments available upon report purchase

By Drug Origin: Branded Dominance Faces Biosimilar Pressure

Branded products accounted for 61.23% of Saudi Arabia diabetes drugs market size in 2024. R&D pipelines, physician trust and aggressive detailing underpin their edge. AstraZeneca alone aims for USD 80 billion global revenue by 2030, partly on new metabolic indications. Localization deals—Boehringer Ingelheim-Alpha Pharma, MSD-Jamjoom, Abdi Cigalah—align with Vision 2030’s sovereignty goals and may temper future price escalation. 

Biosimilars and generics are expanding at a 7.87% CAGR, encouraged by SFDA guidance and payer cost pressure. Manufacturers benefit from tax incentives and new biotech clusters. Still, stringent surveillance and manufacturing complexity create barriers, so near-term penetration focuses on basal insulins and first-wave GLP-1s. Price competition is expected to intensify after 2027 as capacity scales.

Note: Segment shares of all individual segments available upon report purchase

By Distribution Channel: Digital Transformation Accelerates Online Growth

Hospital pharmacies held 56.78% of Saudi Arabia diabetes drugs market share in 2024. Close integration with specialists, immediate lab access and dosing oversight make them indispensable for complex regimens. Tele-pharmacy pilots now link hospital pharmacists with remote clinics, expanding reach without eroding institutional dominance. 

Online pharmacies are rising at 10.16% CAGR as digital-health adoption explodes. Penetration jumped from 3% in 2017 to 60% in 2023, thanks to clear e-prescription rules. Saudi Arabia diabetes drugs market size flowing through online channels will likely surpass retail volumes before 2030. Apps integrate with EHRs, and AI chatbots offer refill reminders, enhancing adherence. Controlled substances remain restricted, but chronic-care prescriptions see brisk demand.

Note: Segment shares of all individual segments available upon report purchase

Geography Analysis

Saudi Arabia diabetes drugs market demand concentrates in Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam, where high incomes, insurance coverage and specialist centers drive premium drug uptake. Rural regions rely more on older oral agents and basal insulins. The Seha Virtual Hospital now links 224 facilities, providing remote endocrinology consults and e-prescriptions, which narrow access gaps for peripheral provinces. 

Population aging heightens regional needs. More than 52% of citizens aged 60+ carry at least two chronic conditions, often including diabetes. Aseer studies predict 21.9% of residents will develop Type 2 diabetes within five years, emphasizing urgent preventive campaigns. 

Vision 2030 earmarks USD 65 billion for new hospitals and PPPs. Over 100 projects worth USD 12.8 billion between 2022-2027 aim to add beds and ambulatory sites. Medical-tourism leakage to Gulf neighbors spurs investments in flagship hubs like King Abdullah Medical City. Regional competition should improve care quality while retaining domestic spending.