Saudi Arabia Anti-Rheumatic Drug Market Size, Share, Opportunities, COVID-19 Impact, And Trends By Type Of Disease (Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Gout, Lupus, Others), By Drug Class (Disease-modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs (DMARDs), Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs), Corticosteroids, JAK Inhibitor, Others), And By Sales Channel (Prescription, Over-the-counter (OTC)) - Forecasts From 2022 To 2027

Saudi Arabia antirheumatic drugs market was valued at US$939.220 million in 2020. The market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 2.06% to attain a value of US$1,803.530 million by 2027. The antirheumatic drugs market in Saudi Arabia is projected to show nominal growth throughout the forecast period owing to the low prevalence of arthritis in the country. However, the growth in the country may be attributed to the presence of a state-of-the-art healthcare system in the country. Saudi Arabia is one of the most prominent countries in the MEA region Saudi Arabian region regarding the development of its healthcare services and infrastructure. In absolute figures, the country allocated US$39.2 billion in 2018 for the healthcare and social development sector, which was 10% more than the previous year. Moreover, the Saudi Vision 2030, further aims to improve the healthcare infrastructure and services in the country. This, in turn, is projected to provide ample opportunities for the key market players to invest in the country and further gain a competitive edge in the market.

In addition, significant growth in the geriatric population of the country is also anticipated to provide an impetus for the market to grow during the next five years. Since 2013, the geriatric population of the country has been increasing exponentially after a continuous decline in 2001. According to the World Bank Group, the geriatric population (population ages 65 and above) in the country reached 3.314% of the total population by 2018 from 2.937% in 2013. This, in turn, is projected to positively impact the market growth during the next five years as people as they age are more susceptible to arthritis and other similar conditions.

The Saudi Arabian antirheumatic drug market has been segmented on the basis of the type of disease, type of molecule, and sales channel. On the basis of the type of disease, the market has been classified into osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, lupus, and others. The market has been segmented based on molecule type; the market has been segmented based on pharmaceuticals and biopharmaceuticals.  By the sales channel, the segmentation has been done on the basis of prescription and over-the-counter (OTC).

Key Developments in the Market:

• Celltrion Healthcare, a global biopharmaceutical firm, developed the first monoclonal antibody biosimilar. The drug was approved by several drug agencies in over 100 countries. Remisma was approved by the Saudi Food and Drug Authority in the country and was licensed by a local form, Jazeera Pharmaceutical firms. 
• Abbvie, an America-based multinational biopharma conglomerate's Humira, an adalimumab injection and TNF inhibitor, was approved by SFDA. The firm had teamed up with Arabio, a local pharma brand, for the launch of the biosimilar in the Saudi Arabian Market. 

COVID-19 Insights:

COVID-19 had a significant impact on Saudi Arabia's antirheumatic drug market. The region's drug demand is being driven by the rising number of adolescents and adults suffering from various rheumatic disorders. However, the closure of numerous industrial facilities resulted from the epidemic, and the deployment of lockdown and social distancing reduced productivity. 

Border controls have a detrimental effect on regional imports and exports as well, upsetting the supply chain. Similar factors hindered the market growth. 

Segmentation

• By Type of Disease
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Rheumatoid Arthritis
  • Gout
  • Lupus
  • Others
• By Drug Class
  • Disease-modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs (DMARDs)
  • Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)
  • Corticosteroids
  • JAK inhibitor
  • Others
• By Sales Channel
  • Prescription
  • Over-The-Counter (OTC)

AbbVie Inc.

Amget Inc.

Johnson and Johnson

Pfizer Inc.

GlaxoSmithKline plc

Merck & Co., Inc.

Eli Lilly and Company

Novartis AG

Celgene Corporation (Bristol-Myers Squibb)

Eisai Co., Ltd.