The U.S. transdermal drug delivery system market size was valued at USD 14.7 billion in 2018 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.5% from 2019 to 2026. Increasing demand for painless drug delivery, coupled with rising demand for self-administration of drugs, is anticipated to fuel market growth. The market is also propelled by ongoing technological advancements in the field. Smart patches, for instance, allow auto-injection of medication and help in monitoring various body parameters. They also enable the transmission of patient-generated data, thereby improving timing and accuracy of drug administration.
According to data by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 6 in every 10 American adults have a chronic disease, while 4 in 10 American adults have more than one chronic disease. The high prevalence of chronic disorders is anticipated to fuel the market for transdermal drug delivery systems. Cardiovascular disorders, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s are some of the main chronic conditions affecting U.S. citizens. These conditions require around the clock monitoring and frequent dose administration, thus facilitating market growth.
Introduction of microneedles patches is anticipated to drive the market. This can be attributed to various benefits of microneedle patches such as rapid onset of action, improved efficacy and skin permeability, self-administration, and improved patient compliance. Furthermore, microneedle patches are able to bypass the stratum corneum and ensure 100% delivery of the loaded drug into the upper dermis or epidermis layer without any pain. These advantages will ensure product demand.
On the down side, high costs associated with development of novel drug-patch combination is anticipated to limit investments in transdermal drug delivery systems. For instance, according to the CEO of Noven Pharmaceuticals, the cost of developing a novel molecule-patch combination is nearly USD 2 billion while the cost of developing a generic transdermal patch is less than 5% of the cost of a novel patch.
