Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Drug Class (Buprenorphine, Methadone, and Naltrexone), By Route of Administration (Oral and Parenteral), By Distribution Channel (Hospital Pharmacies, Retail Pharmacies & Stores, and Online Pharmacies), and Regional Forecast, 2025-2032

The global Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) market size was valued at USD 3.62 billion in 2024. The market is projected to grow from USD 3.92 billion in 2025 to USD 7.51 billion by 2032, exhibiting a CAGR of 9.7% during the forecast period. North America dominated the opioid use disorder market with a market share of 77.31% in 2024.

Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) is a complex disorder defined by the compelling use of opioid drugs, even if the person wants to stop or even if the drugs negatively affect the person's emotional and physical well-being. The medication treatment includes three drug classes, buprenorphine, methadone, and naltrexone. These drug classes are the only classes approved by the U.S. FDA.

The amount of prescriptions for painkillers, which frequently contain opioids, is likely to rise as the number of people experiencing chronic pain increases globally. However, when these opioid-based painkillers are consumed and the patient's discomfort subsides, the dependency or addiction to these drugs grows. Since an opioid overdose can result in death or a lifelong impairment of a person's normal psychological and physiological functioning, this addiction has lethal implications.

Governments in a number of nations, including the U.S., have put policies in place to successfully address this condition in order to reduce the danger. These policy changes are anticipated to have a favorable impact on the industry, together with the growing number of product releases by major companies.

COVID-19 IMPACT

Reduced Demand for Medications amid COVID-19 Pandemic Negatively Impacted Market Growth 

Depending on demand, the COVID-19 pandemic had both positive and negative impacts on pharmaceutical companies. As fewer people risked visiting healthcare institutions such as hospitals and clinics, certain pharmaceutical products experienced a decline in demand. In order to limit the spread of the coronavirus outbreak, the respective governments imposed stringent nationwide lockdowns. As a result, patient visits to hospitals dropped significantly. The cancellation or delay of non-essential medical services also hampered market expansion.

On the other hand, there was a notable uptick in patients experiencing opioid overdoses and relapses in the OUD market. However, well-known companies in the industry, such as Indivior, experienced a dramatic fall in product sales during this time. Sales continued to drop quickly as a result of COVID-19-related disruptions. Consequently, the global market experienced a downward trend during the pandemic.

Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) Market Trends

Increasing Consideration of Buprenorphine Patches as an Effective Treatment Mode to Propel Market Growth

The market recently witnessed an increasing demand for buprenorphine treatment patches. These patches are considered an effective therapy for Opioid Use Disorder treatment. Various advantages associated with transdermal patches, such as easing the mode of drug delivery and reduced pain, are conventional and self-administered. Furthermore, these transdermal patches can be a potential alternative for patients requiring around-the-clock opioid therapy for OUD.

For instance, in 2019, WellSpan Health partnered with York Opioid Collaborative to form a clinical trial to develop a Lidocaine patch for OUD treatment. Such collaborations are anticipated to accelerate the adoption of various treatments during the forecast period. Moreover, the greater inclusion of new patients is anticipated to propel the global Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) market growth.

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Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) Market Growth Factors

Growing Opioid Addiction Cases to Expand Market Share 

The global population currently experiences a wide range of severe and chronic diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disorders, and other conditions. Painkillers, primarily opioids, are consumed to treat these disorders. In many instances, drug use leads to drug addiction in patients. The patients could experience drug withdrawal symptoms as a result of their growing dependence on these medications and abrupt termination.

• For instance, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), in 2021, approximately 296 million individuals used drugs at least once a year across the globe. Additionally, across the globe, approximately 39.5 million people lived with drug use disorders in 2021.

• For instance, according to the Magnitude of Substance Use in India published by the National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre (NDDTC) in February 2019, the prevalence of current opioids use is 2.06% and about 0.55% of Indians are anticipated to need help for their opioid use problems (harmful use and dependence).

Such increased prevalence of opioid addiction has also increased the prevalence of OUD across the globe.

• For instance, according to the CDC, in the U.S., an estimated 2.7 million people aged 12 or above reported to have OUD in 2021.

These factors elevate the likelihood of patients experiencing tragic outcomes such as death induced by opioid overdose.

Rising Focus of Government & Non-government Institutions on Creating Awareness to Fuel Industry Expansion

Growing engagement of governmental as well as non-governmental organizations to create awareness toward opioid overdose and its risks is another important factor driving the market expansion. The number of opioid addicts has significantly increased and this has prompted numerous organizations to take a more extensive approach toward addressing the problem. Numerous nations have stepped up their efforts to assist patients and lessen the impact of opioid dependence.

For instance, in March 2022, Health and Human Services (HHS) announced funding for substance use prevention and treatment programs. The move was taken in a bid to expand access to medication-assisted treatment for Opioid Use Disorder and prevent the misuse of prescription drugs.

Similar initiatives are anticipated to encourage more people suffering from opioid-related disorders to seek treatment. During the projected period, these factors are anticipated to have a favorable effect on the global market.

RESTRAINING FACTORS

Adverse Effects of OUD Drugs to Restrain Market Growth

The side effect arising from the drugs administered for the treatment of opioid addiction is anticipated to hinder the market during the forecast period. 

The common adverse reactions from these drugs include muscle aches, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, respiratory issues, bone/joint pain, bladder pain, and abdominal cramps. Furthermore, the patient may also suffer from depression and other psychological problems in severe cases of adverse reaction of a drug.

Furthermore, the risks associated with these drugs have led to a warning by the U.S. FDA, which negatively impacts the drug class, reducing the adoption of medications in the treatment of OUD.

• For instance, in January 2022, the U.S. FDA warned about dental problems with buprenorphine medicines dissolved in the mouth to treat OUD and pain. Dental issues, including oral infections, cavities, tooth decay, and teeth loss can be serious and have been reported even in patients with no history of dental issues.

Such factors might hamper the market growth to a certain extent.

Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) Market Segmentation Analysis

By Drug Class Analysis

Buprenorphine Segment to Dominate due to Greater Adoption in Developed Markets

Based on drug class, the market is trifurcated into methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone.

The buprenorphine segment accounted for the largest share of the market in 2023. The segment’s dominance is due to the greater adoption of these drugs in developed markets such as the U.S. and France coupled with the presence of several branded products under this segment. Some of the essential buprenorphine products include SUBLOCADE, SUBOXONE, and ZUBSOLV.

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The methadone segment is anticipated to register a lower growth rate due to the increasing influx of generic product offerings and the comparative lack of new product launches in this segment.

The naltrexone segment is set to register a lower market share during the forecast period due to a comparatively limited number of product offerings.

By Route of Administration Analysis

Parenteral Segment to Account for the Highest Market Share Driven by Availability in Different Dosages

Based on route of administration, the market is segmented into oral and parenteral.

The parenteral segment is projected to account for the highest market share during the forecast period due to the availability of various types of OUD drugs in different dosages in the parenteral form. Hence, the parenteral route of drug administration maintains dominance in the global market.

The oral segment is projected to account for a lower global Opioid Use Disorder market share. However, it is expected to experience significant growth due to many individuals opting for oral administration of drugs over injection.

By Distribution Channel Analysis

Hospital Pharmacies Segment to Dominate due to High Dependence on this Channel

Based on distribution channel, the market is segmented into hospital pharmacies, retail pharmacies & stores, and online pharmacies.

The hospital pharmacies segment is anticipated to account for a higher share in the global market due to the dependency of patient population on this channel for the administration of parenteral OUD drugs such as buprenorphine. Furthermore, the increasing number of opioid treatment programs (OTPs) in the U.S. is expected to increase the usage of drugs, especially methadone, thereby propelling the segmental growth during the forecast period.

• For instance, according to the American Association for the Treatment of Opioid Dependence, Inc. (AATOD Inc.), there were approximately 1,900 operating OTPs in across 49 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands in 2022. Furthermore, at the beginning of the last five-year plan in 2018, there were about 1,519 operating OTPs.

The retail pharmacies & stores segment is set to be the second-largest segment during the forthcoming years due to the dependency of the patient population on these locations for filling up their prescriptions.

On the other hand, the online pharmacies segment is estimated to grow at the highest CAGR as an increasing number of patients started using online pharmacies to acquire their drugs owing to the convenience attached to these settings.

REGIONAL INSIGHTS

Based on region, the market has been analyzed across North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the rest of the world.

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The North America market stood at USD 2.80 billion in 2024 and the region is anticipated to be dominant during the forecast period. This is on account of a substantial number of individuals in the U.S. suffering from opioid dependency, presence of key players in the region, and the increasing involvement of regional governments in tackling the pandemic. For instance, according to an article published by the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) in 2020, it was estimated that in the U.S., approximately 2.1 million individuals suffer from Opioid Use Disorder.

Europe is projected to hold the second position in the market. This is attributable to the increasing number of new product launches in the region and the rising number of patients suffering from opioid dependency.

The Asia Pacific market is expected to register the strongest CAGR during the forecast period due to the surge in awareness amongst the general population regarding the disorder. Additionally, the growing healthcare spending in the region is expected to propel the growth of the market in the region

The rest of the world consists of regions, such as Latin America and the Middle East & Africa, that accounted for a lower market share in the past. However, the increasing number of patients suffering from opioid dependency, expanding healthcare expenditure, and surging awareness are expected to boost market growth in the forthcoming years.

Key Industry Players in Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) Market

Robust and Diversified Product Portfolios of Indivior PLC, Alkermes, and Orexo AB Led to their Market Dominance

In terms of the competitive landscape, certain prominent companies that exert dominance over the global market include Indivior PLC, Alkermes, and Orexo AB. These three companies together accounted for a major market share.

The competitive landscape reflects these players' dominance due to their strong product portfolio in terms of the product offerings of buprenorphine and naltrexone. Furthermore, these companies are engaged in continuous R&D activities to develop more effective drugs for treating opioid disorders such as long-acting buprenorphine.

For instance, Indivior PLC has many buprenorphine product offerings in its portfolio, including SUBLOCADE and SUBOXONE. Other vital players in the opioid use disorder market include Orexo AB and Alkermes, which are known for their extensive product offerings. These companies adopt various strategies such as collaboration and new product launches. These are anticipated to contribute toward market expansion during the forecast period.

LIST OF TOP OPIOID USE DISORDER COMPANIES:

• Indivior PLC (U.S.)


• Alkermes (Ireland)


• Orexo AB (Sweden)


• Titan Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (U.S.)


• Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals (U.K.)


• BioDelivery Sciences International Inc. (U.S.)


• Viatris Inc. (Mylan N.V.) (U.S.)


• Hikma Pharmaceuticals PLC (U.K.)


• Camurus (Sweden)

KEY INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS:

• February 12, 2024: Orexo and Sobi agreed to advance a feasibility study using Orexo’s AmorphOX® drug delivery platform with one of Sobi’s biomolecules, demonstrating retained activity and improved stability. 


• March 28, 2024: Orexo published its Annual and Sustainability Report for 2023, highlighting progress in opioid dependence treatments and financial recovery, with plans for the U.S. launch of OX124 and expansion of AmorphOX® applications. 


• February 12, 2024: Orexo and Sobi advanced their collaboration on the AmorphOX® platform, confirming the technology's ability to retain biomolecule activity and improve stability across various storage temperatures. 

REPORT COVERAGE

The market research report provides a detailed analysis of the global market. It focuses on major aspects such as key industry developments, including mergers, acquisitions, partnerships, pipeline analysis, key products, new product launches, statistics of OUD by key countries/regions, and the impact of COVID-19 on the market. Besides this, the report offers insights into the market trends and highlights key industry dynamics.

Report Scope & Segmentation