Canada Clinical Nutrition Market Analysis

Canada Clinical Nutrition Market Executive Summary

The Canada Clinical Nutrition Market is at around $2453.6 Mn in 2023 and is projected to reach $3531.5 Mn in 2030, exhibiting a CAGR of 5.34% during the forecast period 2023-2030.

Clinical nutrition is the application of nutrition principles to promote health and prevent disease in individuals, particularly in a healthcare setting. It involves assessing patients' nutritional needs, creating personalized nutrition plans, and implementing evidence-based interventions to improve health outcomes. Clinical nutrition centres on the prevention, diagnosis, and management of nutritional changes in patients linked to chronic diseases and conditions primarily in health care. Clinical in this sense refers to the management of patients, including not only outpatients at clinics and in private practice, but also inpatients in hospitals. It incorporates primarily the scientific fields of nutrition and dietetics. Furthermore, clinical nutrition aims to maintain a healthy energy balance, while also providing sufficient amounts of nutrients such as protein, vitamins, and minerals to patients.

Clinical malnutrition refers to a condition that can be treated with clinical intervention by using specialized nutrients that are considered proper medications rather than as supplements. Clinical nutrition products are useful in maintaining the patient's health and enable the improvement of the body's metabolic system by providing adequate supplements, such as minerals, vitamins, and other supplements. The clinical nutrition sector is undergoing a transformation fuelled by progress in medical research and technology. Key trends such as innovative formulations, personalized nutrition solutions, and the use of bioactive ingredients are emerging. Manufacturers are dedicating resources to R&D to produce products that not only fulfil fundamental nutritional requirements but also provide added health advantages. This emphasis on innovation is fostering competition among industry participants, resulting in a constant flow of new products and therapies tailored to various patient demographics.

Clinical nutritionists or registered dietitians work in hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare facilities to, assess patients' nutritional status, develop personalized nutrition plans, provide nutrition education, manage nutrition-related diseases like diabetes, malnutrition etc, support optimal health and well-being. Some areas of focus in clinical nutrition include, critical care nutrition, paediatric nutrition, oncology nutrition, gastrointestinal nutrition, sports nutrition etc.

According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, nearly 6 Mn Canadian adults aged 18 or older have been diagnosed with at least one chronic disease. Furthermore, 63% of Canadian adults are either overweight or obese, which is a major risk factor for chronic conditions like diabetes, cancer, and heart disease. The major drivers of Clinical Nutrition industry in Canada are, increasing prevalence of chronic diseases and metabolic disorders, aging population, increasing awareness of the importance of nutrition for health, product innovations and technological advancements, government initiatives and rising healthcare expenditure, rising incidence of malnutrition especially in paediatric patients.

Some of the major players operating in the Canada Clinical Nutrition market are, Vicore Pharma Holding, Cambrooke Therapeutics, Abbott Nutrition, Bayer AG, Nestle, Baxter International Inc., Otsuka Holdings Co., Ltd, Mead Johnson & Company, LLC among others.

Market Dynamics

Market Drivers

Growing burden of chronic and metabolic diseases in Canada: According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, nearly 6 Mn Canadian adults aged 18 or older have been diagnosed with at least one chronic disease. Furthermore, 63% of Canadian adults are either overweight or obese, which is a major risk factor for chronic conditions like diabetes, cancer, and heart disease. This rising prevalence of chronic diseases is a key driver for the clinical nutrition market.

Increasing prevalence of preterm births: Canada has seen a rise in preterm births, which require specialized clinical nutrition support. As per data from the World Health Organization, Canada accounted for 1,172,300 preterm births in 2018. The need for nutritional management of preterm infants is expected to boost the clinical nutrition market.

Aging population: Canada's senior population (aged 65+) is projected to increase from 17% in 2021 to 25% by 2035. Older adults have higher susceptibility to chronic illnesses that necessitate clinical nutrition, driving market growth.

Market Restraints

Stringent regulations: The clinical nutrition market in Canada faces strict regulations from Health Canada, which can slow product approvals and commercialization. Eventually downsizing the market growth rate.

Lack of reimbursement coverage: Many clinical nutrition products are not covered under public healthcare plans in Canada, requiring out-of-pocket payments by patients. This limited reimbursement acts as a restraint on market expansion.

Rising R&D Cost: High R&D costs and lengthy regulatory approval process for new clinical nutrition products, which can limit innovation and competitiveness, especially for smaller companies, making it difficult for the companies to survive eventually hampering the market growth of clinical nutrition.

Regulatory Landscape and Reimbursement Scenario

Health Canada's Health Products and Food Branch (HPFB) plays a crucial role in regulating pharmaceutical products related to clinical nutrition. This branch is responsible for the regulation of drugs, medical devices, and natural health products, including those used in nutritional therapy. The Therapeutic Products Directorate (TPD), a division of HPFB, specifically oversees the regulation of prescription and non-prescription drugs. This includes nutritional supplements and formulations used in clinical settings, such as parenteral nutrition solutions and specialized oral nutritional supplements prescribed for medical conditions.

The Natural and Non-prescription Health Products Directorate (NNHPD) regulates vitamins, minerals, herbal remedies, and other nutritional supplements that don't require a prescription. This is particularly relevant for clinical nutrition products used in less acute settings or for preventive care. The Medical Devices Bureau, another part of HPFB, regulates medical devices used in nutritional support, such as feeding tubes and pumps for enteral and parenteral nutrition. The Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health (CADTH) provides evidence-based information about the effectiveness of drugs and other health technologies, including nutritional interventions. While not a regulatory body per se, CADTH's assessments often influence regulatory decisions and reimbursement policies.

Provincial formulary committees also play a role in determining which nutritional products and supplements will be covered under public drug plans, indirectly influencing their use in clinical practice. The Patented Medicine Prices Review Board (PMPRB) regulates the prices of patented medicines in Canada, which can include certain specialized nutritional formulations. Reimbursement for clinical nutrition services varies across the country. Public health insurance (Medicare) generally provides limited coverage, primarily for inpatient services, while coverage under private health insurance plans can vary widely. Many Canadians also pay out-of-pocket for nutrition services. This system reflects Canada's decentralized approach to healthcare, balancing national standards with provincial autonomy in health service delivery and regulation.

Competitive Landscape

Key Players

Here are some of the major key players in the Canada Clinical Nutrition Market:

• Abbott Nutrition
• Cambrooke Therapeutics
• Vicore Pharma Holding
• Nutrica North America
• Danone
• Bayer AG
• Nestle
• Baxter International Inc.
• Otsuka Holdings Co., Ltd.
• Mead Johnson & Company, LLC