May 15, 2024

The Scopolamine Market is Estimated to Witness High Growth Owing to Increasing Adoption of Minimally Invasive Surgeries

The drug works by blocking acetylcholine in the central nervous system and gastrointestinal tract. Scopolamine finds applications in treating motion sickness, postoperative nausea and vomiting, and nausea associated with migraines and gastric reflux disease. The demand for scopolamine has increased significantly with the rise in minimally invasive surgeries globally owing to benefits such as less pain, fewer surgical complications, shorter hospital stays, and quicker recovery times.

The global scopolamine market is estimated to be valued at US$ 4235.74 Mn in 2024 and is expected to exhibit a CAGR of 3.8% over the forecast period 2024 to 2030.

The scopolamine drug market is primarily driven by the rising geriatric population who are more prone to conditions where scopolamine therapy is employed. Moreover, the increasing awareness regarding surgical procedures and postoperative care has also contributed to the growth of the market substantially.

Key Takeaways
Key players operating in the scopolamine market are Integra LifeSciences Corporation, AbbVie Inc., Johnson & Johnson, HansBioMed, Becton, Dickinson and Company. The key opportunities in the scopolamine market include development of advanced drug delivery systems and geographic expansion into emerging markets. Technological advancements such as development of transdermal patches, extended-release formulations are expected to boost the adoption of scopolamine.

Market Drivers
One of the major market drivers is the increasing number of surgical procedures globally. As per estimates, over 280 million surgical procedures are performed annually worldwide. This has resulted in rise in postoperative care requirements and subsequently bolstered the demand for antiemetic drugs like scopolamine. Secondly, the growing preference for minimally invasive surgeries and awareness regarding post-op care aid recovery is supporting the scopolamine market growth.

Challenges in Scopolamine Market

The Scopolamine Market Size faces various challenges such as shortage of raw materials, stringent regulations, and threat of substitutes. There is a limited source of raw materials such as plants that contain alkaloids like scopolamine. This increases the production cost. The regulatory norms for manufacturing and marketing pharmaceutical drugs are quite stringent. Obtaining approvals is a lengthy and expensive process. This delays the launch of new products. There is a threat from substitute drugs that are used for similar medical conditions like motion sickness and gastrointestinal disorders. Some alternative treatments include ginger, acupressure, and hypnosis.

SWOT Analysis

Strength: Scopolamine is an effective drug that provides fast relief from motion sickness symptoms and gastrointestinal disorders. It has well-established usage and clinical evidence.
Weakness: Scopolamine production is dependent on limited natural sources. It faces strict regulatory compliance which increases costs.
Opportunity: Growing geriatric population who are more prone to motion sickness and gastrointestinal issues increases the potential market. New delivery methods and combination therapies provide scope for product innovation.
Threats: Alternate therapies like ginger and acupressure are gaining popularity due to perceived natural attributes. Lesser known side effects of substitute treatments pose competitive threats.

Geographical Regions

North America accounts for the largest share of the Scopolamine market owing to established healthcare infrastructure and higher spending on pharmaceuticals. The presence of key market players and accessibility of new products in the region drives its value. Asia Pacific is projected to be the fastest growing regional market during the forecast period. Rising income levels, growing medical tourism, increasing awareness, and expanding healthcare infrastructure support the demand in countries like India and China.

Current Challenges in Scopolamine Market

The Scopolamine market faces the challenge of shortage of raw materials. Scopolamine is extracted from plants like Datura plants which contain alkaloids. The availability of these plants is limited and harvesting them on a large commercial scale is difficult. This constricts the supply and increases production costs. Strict regulations for manufacturing and marketing pharmaceutical drugs also pose a hurdle. Approvals from regulatory bodies like FDA involve lengthy clinical trials and paperwork. This delays the launch of new products. The threat from substitute medications also impacts the industry. Alternative treatments for conditions like motion sickness are gaining acceptance due to perceptions of natural attributes and lesser side effects profiles compared to scopolamine.

Note:
1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
2. We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it