LICE TREATMENT MARKET ANALYSIS

The global lice treatment market is estimated to be valued at US$ 1,049.8 Mn in 2023 and is expected to exhibit a CAGR of 6% during the forecast period (2023-2030).

Analysts’ Views on Global Lice Treatment Market :

Rising prevalence of lice-borne infections are expected to boost the growth of the global lice treatment market over the forecast period. For instance, according to the United States Census Bureau- the principal agency of the U.S. Federal Statistical System, responsible for producing data about the American people and economy, in 2020, the number of children under the age of 18 years was 73.1 million. This in turn is expected to increase demand for lice treatment in the U.S.

Figure 1. Global Lice Treatment Market Share (%), by Product Type, 2023

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Global Lice Treatment Market– Driver

Increasing product launches regarding head lice treatment

The growing produduct launches are a major factor leading to the high demand for head lice treatment. For instance, on June 21, 2023, Chosen By Dermatology- an India-based manufacturer of hair and scalp treatments, launched Child’s Play, a hair serum with high plant content. The product can be used as a wash-off product when used to treat lice and nits.

Increasing product approvals by regulatory authorities

The increasing product approvals by regulatory agencies of respective countries can drive the growth of the global lice treatment market. For instance, in April 2022, Arbor Pharmaceuticals Inc. (A subsidiary of Azurity Pharmaceuticals, Inc.), issued patents in the U.S. and Canada for its novel hair care technology containing all natural ingredients to dislodge and safely remove lice and eggs from the hair shaft and scalp.

Figure 2. Global Lice Treatment Market Share (%), by Region, 2023

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Global Lice Treatment Market- Regional Analysis

Among regions, North America is estimated to hold a dominant position in the global lice treatment market over the forecast period. This is due to the increasing number of lice infestations in the region. For instance, according to an article published in May 2022, in BioMed CentraL (BMC)- a collection of 300 peer-reviewed journals, sharing discoveries from research communities in science, technology, engineering and medicine, co-infestation by head lice and body lice occurred in 4.3% of homeless people in San Francisco, U.S.

Global Lice Treatment Market– Impact of Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic

Since the COVID-19 virus outbreak in December 2019, the disease spread to over 100 countries across the globe, and the World Health Organization declared it a public health emergency on January 30, 2020.

COVID-19 affected the economy in three main ways: by directly affecting the production and demand of drugs, by creating disruptions in distribution channels, and through its financial impact on firms and financial marskets. Due to nationwide lockdowns, several countries such as China, India, Saudi Arabia, the U.A.E., Egypt, and others are facing problems with the transportation of drugs from one place to another.

However, the COVID-19 pandemic had a positive impact on the global lice treatment market. During the Covid-19 epidemic, ivermectin dispensing increased in retail pharmacies, and there was an upsurge in people seeking lice treatment at various clinics around the U.S. According to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention article published in August 2021, ivermectin dispensing from outpatient retail pharmacies in the U.S. increased from an average of 3,600 prescriptions per week during the pre-pandemic period (March 2019-March 2020) to a peak of 39,000 prescriptions in the week ending January 8, 2021.s

Global Lice Treatment Market Segmentation:

The global lice treatment market report is segmented into product type, distribution channel, and region.

By Product Type, the market is segmented into OTC medication and prescription medication. Out of which, the OTC medication segment is expected to hold a dominant position in the global lice treatment market during the forecast period and this is attributed to minimal side-effects of OTC drugs. .

By Distribution Channel, the market is segmented into hospitals and clinics, retail pharmacies, and other distribution channels. Out of which, the retail pharmacies segment is expected to dominate the market over the forecast period and this is attributed to the availability of OTC drugs in retail pharmacies.

By Region, the market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Africa. Out of which, the North America segment is expected to dominate the market over the forecast period and this is attributed to the launch of new products in the region.

Among all the segmentations, the product type segment has the highest potential. This is because OTC drugs allow faster and cheaper access to healthcare. Patients often approach a pharmacist instead of visiting a doctor for minor ailments like head lice issues. OTC drugs also do not need a medical prescription.

Global Lice Treatment Market Cross Sectional Analysis:

Among product type, OTC Medication is expected to dominate the matket over the foreast period in North America region. This can be attributed to the growing product launches in the region by various pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical companies. For instance, in August 2021, ParaPRO- a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on innovative anti-parasitic treatments, announced the launch of Natroba (spinosad) Topical Suspension, 0.9% .

Global Lice Treatment Market: Key Developments

 In February 2021, Benchmark-  an aquaculture biotechnology company, planned to launch its novel lice treatment. Large-scale trials of Benchmark’s BMK08 medicine and the CleanTreat filtering system have proved the combination to be extremely effective against lice without impacting the environment.

In October 2020, KAKEN PHARMACEUTICAL CO., LTD.- an R&D-driven pharmaceutical company focusing on dermatology and orthopedics, and Arbor Pharmaceuticals (A subsidiary of Azurity Pharmaceuticals, Inc.)- specialty pharmaceutical company developing late-stage therapeutic products for common pediatric conditions, entered into a licensing agreement to develop and commercialize an anthelminthic agent ivermectin lotion, 0.5% Sklice Lotion, for the treatment of head lice, a parasitic infectious disease, in Japan.

According to  a study published by The World Health Organization (WHO) on May 31, 2023, globally, it is estimated to affect more than 200 million people at any time and more than 400 million people cumulatively every year suffer from scabies. Scabies is one of the commonest dermatological conditions, accounting for a substantial proportion of skin disease in developing countries.

Global Lice Treatment Market: Key Trends

The rising incidences of mergers, acquisitions, and partnership scensrios is expected to boost the growth of global lice treatment . For instance, in July 2022, Piedmont Animal Health- an animal veterinary pharmaceutical company, was acquired by Dechra Pharmaceuticals- a business involved in the development and marketing of veterinary products based in Northwich, England.

The rising incidences of  research and development activities is expected to boost the growth of global lice treatment According to an article published in January 2020, in Frontiers-  an open access publisher of peer-reviewed scientific articles, whole genome sequencing of head lice belonging to different clades with integration of high-throughput technologies to study global changes in mRNA transcription, translation and computational approaches, will accelerate the addressing of important biological questions, identification, and exploitation of new target genes of this insect vector, insecticide discovery, as well as to develop novel therapies.

Global Lice Treatment Market: Restraint

Potential side-effects of lice treatments

The adverse effects caused by hair and scalp oils and serums can restrain the growth of the global lice treatment market. Scalp irritation, including itching, swelling, or redness may occur with head lice and temporarily worsen after treatment with permethrin. Mild burning, stinging, tingling, or numbness may also occur.

This restrain can be overcome by  contacting the doctor or pharmacist promptly and restricting the drug dose to the doctor’s recommendation.

Lack of awareness about lice treatments

Lack of awareness among people is expected to hamper the growth of the global lice treatment market. For instance, a lack of awareness in families, regarding head lice treatment, often leads to the use of traditional remedies including the direct use of insecticides or kerosene, which can be very harmful and may ultimately lead to the death of the individual being treated.

This can be overcome by arranging seminars, and workshops for healthcare professionals as well as for caregivers. 

Global Lice Treatment Market- Key Players

Major players operating in the global lice treatment market include Fleming Medical Ltd, ParaPRO, LLC, Prestige Consumer Healthcare Inc., Omega Pharma (A subsidiary of Perrigo Company plc), Alliance Pharma PLC, Oystershell, Johnson & Johnson Private Limited, GSK plc, and Arbor Pharmaceuticals Inc. (A subsidiary of Azurity Pharmaceuticals, Inc.)

Definition:Lice are parasitic insects that can be found on people’s heads and bodies, including the pubic area. Human lice survive by feeding on human blood. Lice found on each area of the body are different from each other. Lice infestations (pediculosis and pthiriasis) are spread most commonly by close person-to-person contact. Dogs, cats, and other pets do not play a role in the transmission of human lice. Lice move by crawling; they cannot hop or fly. Both over-the-counter and prescription medications are available for the treatment of lice infestations.