Inhalable Drugs Market Size, Share, and Industry Analysis By Drug Class (Bronchodilators, Corticosteroids, and Others), By Type (Aerosol, Inhalation Spray, and Dry Powder Formulation), By Indication (Respiratory Diseases and Non-Respiratory Diseases), By Distribution Channel (Hospital Pharmacies, Retail Pharmacies & Drug Stores, and Online Pharmacies), and Regional Forecast, 2024-2032

Inhalable drugs are medications that are delivered directly into the lungs through inhalation for both systemic and local effects.  These drugs come in various forms, such as metered-dose inhalers (MDIs), dry powder inhalers, and nebulizers. Inhalable drugs offer several advantages, such as allowing for lower doses of medication to be used, which can reduce side effects, rapid onset of action in treating conditions such as asthma attacks, painless administration for people with needle phobia, and portable and convenience for individuals with an active lifestyle or those who travel frequently.

The rising prevalence of respiratory diseases such as COPD, asthma, and cystic fibrosis is driving the demand for inhalable drugs across the globe. In several nations, respiratory disorders have emerged as a major public health concern, affecting individuals of all age groups. However, the aging population is more susceptible to respiratory ailments, resulting in an increased demand for inhalable drugs. The rise in the aging population globally increases the prevalence of respiratory diseases, which is expected to propel market growth.

• For instance, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2022, 4.6% of the U.S. population was diagnosed with COPD, emphysema, or chronic bronchitis.

• For instance, according to the NCBI, aged individuals are more susceptible to lung infections compared to younger individuals. (August 2023)

In such a way, the rising prevalence of respiratory diseases, with a higher risk in elderly individuals, is contributing to the increasing demand for inhaled drugs, thereby boosting the market growth.

The increase in air pollution levels is highly contributing to the growing incidence and severity of respiratory diseases, thereby driving the demand for inhalable drugs. In addition, rapid urbanization, industrialization, and changing lifestyles also lead to an increased incidence of respiratory diseases, creating significant opportunities for market expansion.

• For instance, according to World Health Organization, the global air pollution is estimated to cause 16.0% of lung cancer deaths, 26.0% of respiratory infection deaths, and 25.0% of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) deaths. (January 2024)

Moreover, the technological advancements in inhalation devices, leading to the development of more user-friendly and efficient products, are expanding the market by enhancing drug delivery and patient adherence. In addition, the growing awareness of early diagnosis and timely treatment of respiratory diseases, coupled with educational campaigns by healthcare organizations, boosts the adoption of inhalable drugs, fueling the market growth.

• For instance, the World Health Organization’s collaborative organization, GINA, organized World Asthma Day on the first Tuesday of May 2023 to raise awareness of asthma worldwide.

The COVID-19 pandemic witnessed a positive impact on the global inhalable drugs market due to an increase in respiratory disease cases. This growth can be attributed to several factors, such as increased demand for treatments related to respiratory conditions, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, and other lung disorders, increasing the risk of hospitalization in COVID-19 patients.

Moreover, the enhanced focus on research and development of new inhalable medications and improved delivery systems contributed to the increased adoption of inhalable drugs during the pandemic. The product demand also surged due to growing awareness about the benefits of inhalable drugs compared to traditional oral or injected therapies and advancements in technology leading to more precise and efficient drug delivery methods

However, the vaccination of the major population, leading to a decrease in cases of COVID-19, resulted in the fall-back of the market to pre-pandemic levels.

Key Insights

The report covers the following key insights:

• Prevalence of Key Respiratory Diseases by Key Countries/Sub-regions, 2023


• Technological Advancement in Inhalation Drug Delivery


• New Product Launches and Approvals, By Key Players


• Key Industry Developments (Mergers, Acquisitions, Partnerships, and Others)


• Impact of COVID-19 on the market

Segmentation

Analysis by Drug Class

Based on drug class, the bronchodilators segment is expected to hold a significant share of the global market during the forecast period owing to the large number of COPD cases that require bronchodilators for treatment. As a result, the increasing number of cases of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), particularly in emerging countries, is anticipated to boost the market growth over the coming years.

• For instance, in November 2023, according to the World Health Organization, 100 million people in China are currently living with COPD, which accounts for 25.0% of all COPD cases worldwide.

Moreover, the introduction of new inhaler devices offers improved drug delivery, better targeting of the airways, and reduced side effects, which encourage their increased adoption of bronchodilator therapy, thereby fueling the market growth.

Regional Analysis

North America is anticipated to account for the major share of the inhalable drugs market and continue its expansion during the forecast period. The growth is primarily attributed to the high prevalence of asthma in this region, which increases the demand for inhalable drugs in the North America market. Furthermore, increasing hospital visits in the U.S. for asthma treatment is expected to boost the adoption of inhalable drugs, thereby spurring regional growth.

• For instance, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, around 26.0 million individuals are currently living with asthma, which is equal to about 1 in 13 people. Furthermore, black individuals in the U.S. visit the emergency department nearly six times more than white people due to asthma. (March 2023)

The Asia Pacific market is expected to witness noteworthy growth over the forecast timeframe. The growth is primarily driven by a significant rise in tobacco smoking in countries such as India. Furthermore, the strategic initiatives by key players such as increasing production capacity of inhalable drugs, to increase their availability and advance the respiratory disease treatment and reimbursement for several inhalable products in the region is expected to boost the market over the coming years.

• For instance, in June 2022, Astrazeneca announced its plan to build a production facility in Qingdao, China, to produce its Breztri aerosol inhalant COPD treatment. This product was recently included in the country’s national reimbursement drug list.

Key Players Covered

The report includes the profiles of key players such as AstraZeneca, GSK plc, Sanofi, Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH, Cipla Inc., Merck & Co., Inc., GLENMARK PHARMACEUTICALS LTD., Novartis AG, and Mundipharma International.

Key Industry Developments

• In July 2023, Viatris Inc., in partnership with Kindeva Drug Delivery, launched the Breyna inhalation aerosol, the first FDA-approved generic version of Symbicort for individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma.


• In January 2023, AstraZeneca announced that their Airsupra (albuterol/budesonide) secured approval for the as-needed treatment or prevention of bronchoconstriction and to reduce the risk of exacerbations in the U.S.


• In June 2022, United Therapeutics Corporation announced that it received FDA approval for Tyvaso DPI (treprostinil) inhalation powder to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension and pulmonary hypertension associated with interstitial lung disease.