Transdermal Patches: A Market in Flux

Active lifestyles, ageing joints and a more enlightened approach to treating pain are contributing to greater demand for pain management products delivered through transdermal patches. Because of the ability of transdermal formulations to deliver pain medication consistently and unobtrusively with minimal side effects, a range of companies are pursuing the transdermal route for a number of generic analgesics, says a new study by Greystone Associates.

This increased level of competition is taking a toll on the margins of existing players. There were three approved fentanyl patches on the United States market in 2006. With the loss of patent protection for J&J’s Duragesic fentanyl brand, that number rose to seven by 2009. During this time the dollar value of Duragesic sales in North America fell by almost fifty percent.

In Europe, the market is even more intense, with a dozen marketed transdermal fentanyl products competing for market share. For mild-to-moderate pain, oral pain management drugs in Europe are coming under pressure from several brands of buprenorphine patches and diclofenac patches and gels that are marketed in the region.

In addition, there are pipeline candidates. Transdermal versions of a number of analgesics, some powerful and exotic, are being developed in transdermal form; this group includes bupivacaine, ketoprofen, and dexamethasone. Several of these development programmes involve international partnerships designed to take advantage of perceived opportunities in regional markets.

An important driver is the ageing population in developed economies, which is expected to lead to significant increases in a number of conditions for which pain management will be crucial to quality of life. One example is osteoarthritis, an often painful condition where oral medications compete with topical pain relief formulations. Volteren and Felbinac (Japan) are important competitors in this segment.

Greystone’s analysis of the global transdermal pain management segment includes an assessment of factors influencing demand for transdermal pain management products, the key players in this segment, the regulatory and industry environment, and the dynamics of patient care that will affect market development. Available data also includes forecasts for the growth of transdermal pain management products by drug class, by region and by technology.

More information go to www.greystoneassociates.org

Tags: Greystone Associates, Transdermal patches