Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Treatment Market Size, Share, Growth, Trends, Company Analysis, Regional Insights and Forecast 2020 - 2027

According to Vision Research Reports, the global chronic obstructive pulmonary disease treatment market size is expected to hit around US$ 26.31 billion by 2027 and projected to expand at a CAGR of 5.1% over the forecast period of 2020 to 2027.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a group of conditions affecting the lungs, which leads to difficulty in breathing. Chronic bronchitis and emphysema are two major indications included under chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Breathlessness is a major characteristic of COPD. In case of emphysema, the alveoli (tiny air sacs) in the lungs are damaged. The walls of the alveoli are stretched, making the lungs bigger, resulting in difficulty in the movement of air. In chronic bronchitis, the bronchial airways (breathing tubes) inside the lungs are inflamed.

In terms of drug class, the combination therapy segment of the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease treatment market held a major share of the global COPD treatment market in 2019. It is likely to maintain its dominance in the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease treatment market during the forecast period, owing to its increased efficacy for COPD treatment. Based on distribution channel, the retail pharmacies segment of the COPD treatment market is estimated to account for a major share of the market. This segment of the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease treatment market is anticipated to expand at a rapid pace during the forecast period, owing to an increase in the number of COPD therapeutics being dispensed through retail pharmacies, and rise in the number of retail pharmacies in developing countries. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is characterized by progressive airflow limitation not fully reversible, and is a major cause of morbidity and mortality, worldwide. However, patent expiry of branded products and availability of generic equivalents and alternative treatment options are factors that are expected to hamper the growth of the global COPD treatment market during the forecast period.

Prominent Regions

North America held a major share of the global chronic obstructive pulmonary disease treatment market. The COPD treatment market in the region is primarily driven by factors such as highly structured healthcare industry and availability of well-defined reimbursement policies from private and public health insurance firms. In addition, extensive research and development to provide advanced and efficient products, and a large number of players in the region, are factors driving the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease treatment market in North America. The chronic obstructive pulmonary disease market in Asia Pacific is estimated to witness significant growth. Asia Pacific is a relatively untapped COPD treatment market as compared to developed regions. Hence, the region offers immense growth opportunities to market players. Factors such as high prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, rise in geriatric population, surge in patient population, and growth of the healthcare industry are fueling the expansion of the COPD treatment market in the region.

Europe held the second-largest share of the global chronic obstructive pulmonary disease treatment market in 2018. Well-developed healthcare infrastructure and increase in the number of incidences of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are driving the COPD treatment market in the region. The chronic obstructive pulmonary disease treatment markets in the Middle East & Africa and Latin America are projected to witness moderate growth in the near future.

Key Players

Key players are expanding their footprint to strengthen their position in the global chronic obstructive pulmonary disease treatment market. Emerging economies, due to increase in the number of patient population, and rise in tobacco smoking and air population, offer lucrative opportunities to key players to increase their market share. Manufacturers are engaging in new product development, collaborations, acquisitions, and distribution agreements. For instance, in July 2018, Orion Corporation signed a multi-year licensing agreement with Menarini to distribute and commercialize the former’s Easyhaler products. According to the agreement, Menarini would be supplying Orion’s products in Asia Pacific countries such as China, the Philippines, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore, South Korea, and Taiwan.

Prominent players operating in the global chronic obstructive pulmonary disease treatment market are AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH, GlaxoSmithKline plc, Novartis AG, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., Sunovion Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma Co., Ltd.), CHIESI Farmaceutici S.p.A., Orion Corporation, and Mylan N.V.

Increase in Prevalence of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Key Driver of COPD Treatment Market

• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a major health concern affecting a large number of people across the globe. The disease burden is rising, thereby increasing the need for COPD management, and this is anticipated to drive the global chronic obstructive pulmonary disease treatment market.
• Tobacco smoking could also lead to COPD, as such, boosting the COPD treatment market. The number of adults addicted to smoking has been increasing. Other risk factors include occupation and indoor air pollution. According to the WHO, the primary cause of COPD is exposure to tobacco smoke (either active smoking or passive smoking).
• According to an article published by Medscape in April 2019, the prevalence of COPD, worldwide, varies between 7 - 19%. The Burden of Obstructive Lung Disease (BOLD) study found a global prevalence of 10.1%. Men have a pooled prevalence of 11.8%, while it has a prevalence of 8.5% in women. The numbers vary across different regions around the world. Cape Town, South Africa, has the highest prevalence, affecting 22.2% of men and 16.7% of women.
• According to a report by the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) published in 2018, the prevalence and burden of COPD are projected to increase in the near future, due to continued exposure to COPD risk factors and aging of the world’s population, which is thereby boosting the growth of the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease treatment market. 

Increase in Adoption of Combination Therapy: A Key Driver of COPD Treatment Market

• Combination therapy includes LAMA-ICS, LABA-ICS, triple therapy, and other combination drugs, which are anticipated to drive the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease treatment market.
• The adoption of combination therapy is increasing, as it is more effective than separate use of bronchodilator and corticosteroid. There has been an increase in the number of patients being successfully treated with combination therapy, who were not showing signs of recovery with bronchodilators or corticosteroids treatments, which is thereby boosting the growth of the COPD treatment market.
• Combination therapy is more effective than monotherapy for improving the symptoms and quality of life.
• Regulatory authorities such as the FDA, the European Commission, and the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW), which is a cabinet level ministry of the Japanese government, have approved the use of combination drugs for the treatment of COPD. In November 2018, GlaxoSmithKline plc and Innoviva, Inc. received authorization from the European Commission for the expanded use of once-daily Trelegy Ellipta, the first single inhaler triple therapy indicated for COPD patients who were not adequately treated with dual bronchodilation. These drugs have a longer patent cover, i.e., till 2030, which will lead to high valuation of the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease treatment market.
• In April 2019, the FDA approved the combination therapy for COPD maintenance. A fixed-dose combination of long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA) aclidinium bromide (400 mcg) and long-acting beta-agonist (LABA) formoterol fumarate (12 mcg) has been approved by the FDA for the maintenance and treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
• Increase in the success rate of combination therapy for COPD treatment and recent regulatory approvals have propelled the adoption of combination therapy in COPD management, thereby boosting the growth of the COPD treatment market.

Patent Expiry of Branded Products and Availability of Generic Equivalents Hamper Market

• Patents prevent other manufacturers from developing drugs that are being exclusively manufactured by a patent holder. The patent expiry of branded drugs has a significant impact on the pharmaceutical industry.
• In case of the COPD treatment market, a few of the players face the threat of patient expiry, which further increases the availability of generic versions of drugs and creates pricing pressure on manufacturers.
• Patent expiry declines revenue generated from the sales of branded drugs, and can affect the market share of a company. For instance, Flixotide/Flovent, Advair, and Serevent are major respiratory products manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline, which are now facing patent expiry. This is likely to lead to a decline in sales, thereby affecting the company’s market position. In January 2019, the FDA approved Mylan's Wixela Inhub, the first generic version of Advair Diskus for the treatment of asthma and COPD.
• The availability of generic versions of medicines in the market affects the sales of branded drugs in developed regions such as North America and Europe, and causes pricing pressure, as such, restraining the growth of the chronic obstructive disease treatment market.

Market Segmentation

COPD Treatment Market by Drug Class

• Combination Therapy
  • Long Acting Muscarinic Antagonist & Inhaled Corticosteroids (LAMA-ICS)
  • Long Acting Beta Agonist & Inhaled Corticosteroids (LABA-ICS)
  • Triple Therapy
  • Others
• Corticosteroids
• Phosphodiesterase Type 4 Inhibitors
• Mucokinetics
• Bronchodilators
  • Long Acting Beta Agonist (LABA)
  • Short Acting Beta Agonist (SABA)
  • Long Acting Muscarinic Antagonist (LAMA)
• Others

COPD Treatment Market by Distribution Channel

• Hospital Pharmacies
• Retail Pharmacies
• Online Pharmacies

COPD Treatment Market by Region

• North America
  • U.S.
  • Canada
• Europe
  • Germany
  • U.K.
  • France
  • Italy
  • Spain
  • Russia & CIS
  • Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • India
  • Japan
  • ASEAN
  • Rest of Asia Pacific
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
  • Rest of Latin America
• Middle East & Africa
  • GCC
  • South Africa
  • Rest of Middle East & Africa