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December 2024
The global acne medicine market was estimated at US$ 13.44 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow to US$ 23.33 billion by 2034, rising at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.14% from 2024 to 2034. The rising prevalence of skin-related conditions due to a poor diet, a lack of exercise, an unhealthy lifestyle, health abnormalities, or hormonal imbalance issues are leading to the surge of innovations in effective medical treatments contributing to the growing success of the acne medicine market.
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With the changing lifestyles, people of all age groups may suffer from skin problems like acne that need proper medications and treatments to avoid the severity of those conditions. Dermatologists play major roles in providing suitable preventive measures to patients through topical medications, oral medications, or therapies. These medicines help in the reduction of produced oils and swelling due to bacterial infections or other common scenarios. Topical medications commonly include retinoids and retinoid-like drugs, antibiotics, azelaic acid and salicylic acid, or dapsone gel.
Oral medications include combined oral contraceptives, anti-androgen agents, etc. Several therapies include light therapy, chemical peel procedures, steroid injections, etc. More than 5.1 million people have taken medical treatments to cure acne in 2013, including children and adults. This surge in the demand for acne medicines is increasing day by day boosting the growth of the acne medicine market remarkably.
In April 2023, the Commission on Human Medicines (CHM) published an independent report with the Isotretinoin Expert Working Group (IEWG) that includes several recommendations aiming to improve the safety of isotretinoin for acne treatment. The CHM set up a multi-disciplinary Isotretinoin Implementation Advisory Expert Working Group (IIAEWG) to advise about the implementation of recommendations.
Acne is the most common skin condition in the United States affecting up to 50 million people annually. In May 2023, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) announced that the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) plans to research the challenges in supply, regulation, and market competition of infant formula in the U.S. that will enable the FDA to establish a long-term national strategy.
The proportion of acne occurrence was higher in females than in males and affected students were suffering from insomnia than healthy people. This data suggests the importance of understanding the root causes of acne and the effectiveness of the acne medicine market globally. These factors along with rising R&D activities raise the need for educating patients and healthy people about the importance of healthy lifestyles, pharmaceutical product efficiency, and preventive measures to avoid disease severity.
As, acne vulgaris is the most common condition affecting many people of all age groups causing acne inflammation due to a bacterial infection, excess oil production, hormonal imbalances, and genetics. This acne vulgaris can occur in the form of blackheads, and whiteheads, and acne can affect different body parts such as the head, neck, chest, back, and face. A research study in 2024 approved by the Institutional Review Board of An-Najah National University reported a 34.38% to 97.9% incidence rate of acne vulgaris among medical students.
In Saudi Arabia, the proportion of acne among medical students was 78.5% and 56% of them were using self-medications without a prescription. In Syria, 34.7% of acne incidence was observed and the face was the most common site for this happening, and Malaysia accounted for 75.8% of acne issues.
If the acne medications are not properly administered as per the recommendations or they are taken without accurate counseling and managing the treatment plan, then they can create improper treatment outcomes leading to some adverse side effects like erythema, peeling, pruritus, and xerosis. These adverse side effects can occur from the first-line acne treatment options. A poor patient experience and imbalanced lives could be the results possibly.
People with some genetic abnormalities, pregnant women, children, or adults can have allergic responses to some medications which require strict recommendations for the prevention of acne diseases. Poor people or developing countries may face financial burdens related to affordability and accessibility to innovative drugs or therapies.
North America dominated the acne medicine market in 2023 due to the widespread incidence of acne illnesses in Americans and the innovations in acne medications. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, acne is the most prevalent illness in the United States and it affects up to 50 million Americans each year. Moreover, the growing shift of people towards personal skin care, skin health, personal grooming, and living presentable is boosting the success of the acne medicine market remarkably.
In the U.S. and many other countries, there is an advancement in acne treatment products with minimal side effects and improved efficacy by great efforts in research and development. People in the U.S. are moving towards growing investments in high-quality products that deliver outstanding results. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides patient education resources and recommendations on antibiotic prescribing and use. It is the nation’s leading, data-driven, science-based service organization protecting the public’s health.
The American Academy of Dermatology provides the guidelines for the clinical management of acne vulgaris for adults, and adolescents from the perspective of U.S. and Canadian dermatologists and clinicians treating acne in patients. It also provides recommendations about topical medications, combined therapies, etc.
Asia Pacific is the fastest-growing region in the acne medicine market due to the growing adoption of AI-enabled telemedicine in China which is revolutionizing dermatological care. It is also improving accessibility to treatments and offering better-personalized treatment plans. In China, AIDERMA is the first platform for AI-assisted diagnosis and therapies of skin conditions. AIDERMA offers several services to patients including consultation, education, diagnosis, and therapy support, and more than 90 types of common skin diseases are offered for diagnosis and treatment.
In China, the Urban Employee Basic Medical Insurance received government financing. There is Urban Rural Resident Basic Medical Insurance in China including self-employed people, elderly people, and children which covers hospital treatment, prescription medications, and general and specialty care. etc. More than 7,000 clinicians have registered for AIDA which is an application allowing doctors in China to diagnose eczema, psoriasis, and atopic dermatitis.
The Health Sciences Authority of Singapore provides regulatory requirements for cosmetic and health safety products, and the process to supply them in Singapore. It also reports the importance of good manufacturing practice certification and reporting of adverse events.
The National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) in China approved the ASC40’s phase II clinical trial for the treatment of acne patients. Patients suffering from moderate to severe acne have to participate in this phase II clinical trial to assess the effectiveness and safety of ASC40.
By therapeutic class, the retinoid segment dominated the global acne medicine market in 2023 due to the high percentage of usage of retinoids and its proven effectiveness in treating acne. Retinoids help in the prevention and clogging of pores, and reduction of inflammation that are responsible factors in acne creation. Retinoids are widely used in creams, gels, and lotions and they are designed to make them suitable for every skin type.
Some commonly used retinoids are retinol, tretinoin, adapalene, tazarotene, bexarotene, etc, and they are used in treating acne, fine wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, etc. They are present in the forms of cream, gel, and liquid and they are mostly prescribed by dermatologists to treat mild to moderate acne forms.
Based on formulation, the topical medication segment dominated the acne medicine market in 2023 due to the high adoption rates of creams, gels, or lotions as they are easy to apply on affected skin areas. Besides retinoids, antibiotics are used for topical treatments of acne and topical treatments can last for up to many years or up to some weeks.
Erythromycin and Clindamycin are the two most commonly used topical antibiotics. The most effective strategy is the use of these topical antibiotics with benzoyl peroxide and topical retinoids to prevent bacterial resistance.
Based on types, the prescription medicine segment dominated the acne medicine market because they contain a higher proportion of active ingredients and more advanced formulations. Oral antibiotics such as azithromycin, tetracycline, roxithromycin, etc. can be prescribed for acne that cannot be treated by other topical treatments. Hormonal treatments can also be prescribed in adults, adolescents, and females as alternative treatments for acne. In hormonal therapies, oral contraceptive tablets can be delivered that will inhibit the production of sebum production.
Based on acne types, the non-inflammatory acne segment dominated the acne medicine market in 2023 because it is the most common type of acne that affects a large number of the population, specifically adolescents and young adults. A common skin disorder called acne vulgaris can be present with both inflammatory and non-inflammatory lesions. Spironolactone is used to treat high blood pressure but can also be used to treat acne. Blackheads and whiteheads are the most common types of non-inflammatory acne that do not cause swelling or inflammation of your skin.
Based on distribution channels, the pharmacy and drug store segment dominated the acne medicine market in 2023 due to the expansion of pharmacies and drug stores. These stores are convenient for potential consumers to access from their nearby areas. Some acne medications can be obtained without a doctor’s prescription, so this factor also raises the convenience for buyers.
By Therapeutic Class
By Formulation
By Type
By Acne Type
By Distribution Channel
By Region
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