Osteoarthritis Drugs Market Trends

Growth Drivers

• Personalized medication trends: Personalized medicines are gaining traction among osteoarthritis patients majorly due to their effective results in pain relief and bone care. The ongoing advancements in genomics and biomarker discovery are contributing to the efficiencies of personalized medicines. Also, precision medication tactics help to offer individuals with specific therapies, which are formulated based on their genetic makeup, disease severity, and response to treatment. For instance, in 2022, the University of Alabama at Birmingham revealed that a large multi-ancestry genetics study of osteoarthritis was conducted by their researchers in which they found that 10 new  cases linked with genetic loci and Fibulin -3 levels in serum and urine and can be used as biomarkers for predictive analysis and progression. Such studies are aiding in the formulation of personalized medications for osteoarthritis treatment.
• Combination of osteoarthritis drugs an effective approach: The innovations in combination therapies are expected to offer a pain-relieving approach to osteoarthritis patients. Combination therapies offer comprehensive care that analyzes symptoms and disease progression. Osteoarthritis is a complex condition that involves tremendous pain and progressive joint degeneration. Patients consuming conventional drugs don’t find much relief, on the other hand, combination of different classes of drugs such as pain relievers, anti-inflammatory, and disease-modifying osteoarthritis drugs (DMOADs) offers multi-pronged pain relief and mitigates disease progression. According to the analysis by the New England Journal of Medicine, glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate in combination offer effective results in patients with moderate-to-severe osteoarthritis knee pain.

Challenges

• Side effects associated with excess intake: Side effects such as cardiovascular risks, gastrointestinal problems, and kidney issues associated with osteoarthritis drugs including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and corticosteroids can hamper their sales. The consumption of these drugs in the long term can lead to several health issues, creating challenges for both consumers and manufacturers.
• Lack of awareness: Many patients across the world, particularly in underdeveloped and developing countries are unaware of advanced medications and treatment approaches for osteoarthritis. Lack of knowledge often keeps these patients inaccessible from innovative drugs and therapeutic approaches, hindering the osteoarthritis drugs market growth to some extent.