FIBROMYALGIA TREATMENT MARKET ANALYSIS

Fibromyalgia Treatment Market Size and Trends

The fibromyalgia treatment market is estimated to be valued at USD 3.07 Bn in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 3.86 Bn by 2031, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.3% from 2024 to 2031.

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The fibromyalgia treatment market is witnessing positive growth trends over the past few years. There is higher disease awareness due to growth in diagnosis rates and development of novel treatment alternatives. Moreover, rising healthcare expenditure and presence of favorable reimbursement policies are also contributing to the market expansion. However, lack of cure and presence of alternative treatment options continue to hinder the market to a certain level. Strong product pipeline with drugs having novel mechanisms of action is further expected to bring more growth opportunities for market players in the near future.

Increasing research and development activities for the development of new therapies

Market players are focusing on active research and development, in order to introduce new products in the market and increase treatment options. For instance, in February 2022, Karabuk University, University in Turkey, in collaboration with SULEYMAN ERSOY, Saglik Bilimleri University, carried out research on new therapy called wet cupping therapy (WCT) for the treatment of fibromyalgia. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of wet cupping therapy (WCT) on fibromyalgia syndrome. The patients will be randomized into two groups. WCT was applied once a month to patients in the intervention group while the control group will be on standard therapy for fibromyalgia. An evaluation will be made before treatment and at the 3rd month using the Fibromyalgia Impact Survey (FEA), VAS, and EuroQol-5D (EQ-5D-3L) quality of life scale.

Market Concentration and Competitive Landscape

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Increasing approval and launch of novel fibromyalgia treatment are expected to drive the market growth over the forecast period. For instance, in May, 2022, Scilex Holding Company, a biopharmaceutical company, committed to develop SP-104 for fibromyalgia treatment. SP-104 is a novel, proprietary, fixed dose, delayed burst release of low dose naltrexone hydrochloride, 4.5 mg, for the treatment of fibromyalgia. Phase 1 clinical trial data showed that SP-104 treated healthy volunteers and had lower rates of adverse events, as compared with immediate release naltrexone -treated volunteers.

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The side effects of drugs have emerged as a major challenge restricting the growth of Fibromyalgia Treatment Market. Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition characterized by widespread muscle pain and fatigue. While various medications are available for managing the symptoms, they often lead to undesirable and sometimes debilitating side effects. The most commonly prescribed drug classes for fibromyalgia like antidepressants, anticonvulsants, and naproxen can cause a range of side effects from mild to severe. Antidepressants which are first line treatment for fibromyalgia, have side effects like nausea, headaches, sexual dysfunction and weight gain which reduces patient compliance. Similarly, anticonvulsants used as alternatives also have side effects like dizziness, fatigue and cognitive issues. This discourages many patients from continuing the treatment and seeking alternative therapies.

Market Opportunities: Increasing awareness and diagnosis rates

Increasing awareness and accurate diagnosis can open up great opportunities for expansion in the fibromyalgia treatment market. As fibromyalgia is a chronic condition with wide-ranging symptoms, it can often be difficult to diagnose properly. Many patients struggle for years receiving incorrect diagnoses before getting an official fibromyalgia confirmation. However, growing healthcare knowledge and advocacy efforts are helping to change this situation for the better.

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The drug class segment includes antidepressants, antiepileptics, muscle relaxants, analgesics, and others. Antiepileptics segment is estimated to hold 48.9% of the market share in 2024. These drugs are commonly prescribed as they target neuropathic pain, which many fibromyalgia patients experience. Neuropathic pain arises from dysfunctional or damaged nerves and is described as burning, shooting, stabbing or sharp in nature - characteristics aligned with the painful sensations reported by fibromyalgia sufferers. Of the antiepileptic medications available, gabapentin and pregabalin are most frequently used in fibromyalgia treatment. Both drugs bind to alpha-2-delta calcium channel subunits in the central nervous system, reducing the release of excitatory neurotransmitters involved in conveying pain signals. They have demonstrated effectiveness at reducing multiple fibromyalgia symptoms, including migraine-type headaches, muscle pains, and sensitivity to touch. The proven pain-relieving mechanisms of gabapentin and pregabalin give physicians confidence that these will provide relief for many fibromyalgia patients.

Insights, By Distribution Channel: High footfall in hospitals for treatment drives hospital pharmacies development

The distribution channel segment includes hospital pharmacies, retail pharmacies, and online pharmacies. Hospital pharmacies contributes the highest share of the fibromyalgia treatment market and is estimated to hold 43.8% of the market share in 2024. Fibromyalgia care usually involves trialing multiple medications to determine the optimal regimen for a given individual. Frequent dosage adjustments and drug substitutions are also common as patients' responses and side effect tolerances change over time. Hospital pharmacists can efficiently oversee complex medication schedules and ensure proper supervision during high-risk transitional periods. The debilitating fatigue, migraines, cognitive difficulties and mood issues associated with fibromyalgia also means affected patients often need additional supports. Non-drug therapies like injections, physical therapy and psychological counseling play an important role. Hospitals coordinate all aspects of integrated care instead of relying on patients to separately coordinate various outpatient specialists on their own.

Regional Insights

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North America has established itself as the dominant region in the global fibromyalgia treatment market and is estimated to hold 36.7% of the market share in 2024. The U.S., in particular, has a large patient base suffering from fibromyalgia due to growing awareness and clinical acceptance of the condition. Several major pharmaceutical companies have been operating in the country for decades and have well-established sales and distribution networks. This provides patients with easy access to approved drugs for fibromyalgia treatment. Furthermore, the reimbursement scenario for fibromyalgia drugs is favorable in the US due to fact that several government-funded health insurance plans primarily cover treatment costs. This encourages patients to seek and maintain medication-based fibromyalgia management. Leading generic manufacturers have also strengthened their presence by launching affordable generics of blockbuster brands, which are widely preferred due to their cost-effectiveness.

The Asia Pacific region has emerged as the fastest growing regional market for fibromyalgia treatment over the past few years. Rapid economic development and improving access to healthcare facilities across developing countries such as China and India have significantly boosted the volumes. There is rising health awareness regarding chronic pain disorders like fibromyalgia. Additionally, various initiatives by public as well as private organizations to educate clinicians have enhanced the diagnostic rates over time. While generic drug makers from India and China have increased exports volumes, several big pharmaceutical companies have also entered the market through partnerships with regional players. This has augmented the availability of prescription medications across national and international outlets. Meanwhile, medical tourism has contributed to the sales volume with many patients travelling to countries like Thailand and Singapore for treatment of difficult to manage cases of fibromyalgia.

Market Report Scope

Fibromyalgia Treatment Industry News

• On March 06, 2024, Tonix Pharmaceuticals Holding Corp., a pharmaceutical company, announced that EVERSANA, a leading provider of commercialization services to the global life sciences industry, had been selected to support Tonmya's launch strategy and commercial planning in the U.S. EVERSANA will work with Tonix to examine the fibromyalgia landscape and develop an effective go-to-market strategy.
• On February 19, 2024, Tonix Pharmaceuticals Holding Corp. announced that it had reached an agreement with Rho Inc., a global contract research organization (CRO), to support its upcoming New Drug Application (NDA) to the FDA for Tonmya (cyclobenzaprine HCl sublingual tablets) to treat fibromyalgia patients.
• In January 2020, Axsome Therapeutics, Inc., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, reached an agreement with Pfizer Inc., a multinational pharmaceutical company, for an exclusive U.S. license to Pfizer's clinical and nonclinical data, as well as intellectual property for reboxetine, the active pharmaceutical ingredient in AXS-12, which Axsome is developing for the treatment of narcolepsy. The deal also grants Axsome exclusive rights to develop and commercialize esreboxetine, a novel late-stage pharmaceutical candidate known as AXS-14, in the U.S. for the treatment of fibromyalgia.

*Definition: The fibromyalgia treatment market involves products and services that provide relief from fibromyalgia, a chronic condition characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain accompanied by fatigue, sleep, memory and mood issues. This market includes drugs like antidepressants, pain relievers and anti-seizure medications as well as non-drug options like physical therapy, osteopathic manipulation, massage therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy which are aimed at managing fibromyalgia symptoms and improving overall health and quality of life for sufferers.

Market Segmentation

• Drug Class Insights (Revenue, USD BN, 2019 - 2031)
  • Antidepressants 
  • Antiepileptics 
  • Muscle Relaxants
  • Analgesics
  • Others 
•  Distribution Channel Insights (Revenue, USD BN, 2019 - 2031)
  • Hospital Pharmacies
  • Retail Pharmacies
  • Online Pharmacies
• Regional Insights (Revenue, USD BN, 2019 - 2031)
  • North America
    • U.S.
    • Canada
  • Latin America
    • Brazil
    • Argentina
    • Mexico
    • Rest of Latin America
  • Europe
    • Germany
    • U.K.
    • Spain
    • France
    • Italy
    • Russia
    • Rest of Europe
  • Asia Pacific
    • China
    • India
    • Japan
    • Australia
    • South Korea
    • ASEAN
    • Rest of Asia Pacific
  • Middle East
    • GCC Countries
    • Israel
    • Rest of Middle East
  • Africa
    • South Africa
    • North Africa
    • Central Africa
• Key Players Insights
  • Eli Lilly and Company
  • Pfizer Inc.
  • Novartis AG
  • Allergan plc
  • Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.
  • Aptinyx Inc.
  • Prismic Pharmaceuticals Inc.
  • Innovative Med Concepts Inc.
  • Intec Pharma Ltd.
  • Astellas Pharma Inc.
  • Johnson & Johnson
  • GSK
  • AstraZeneca plc
  • Bristol Myers Squibb
  • Viatris
  • Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited
  • Amgen Inc.
  • Sanofi