Middle East HIV Therapeutics Market Analysis

Middle East HIV Therapeutics Market Analysis Summary

The Middle East HIV therapeutics market is expected to reach $726.25 Mn by 2030, up from $401.2 Mn in 2022, with a CAGR of 7.7% from 2022 to 2030.

HIV has been characterised by denial in the Middle East because it is viewed as a disease that exists in morally decadent countries. Islam is promoted as the best form of defence against this epidemic. The Middle East is primarily made up of Arab countries. Despite having the world's lowest HIV burden, the number of new infections increased by 33% during the same time period. This made it one of only three regions in the world where HIV is still on the rise, along with Eastern Europe, Central Asia, and Latin America. Women in the Middle East have a higher risk of contracting the virus than men.

The economies of Middle Eastern countries vary greatly. Some countries, such as the UAE and Qatar, have robust and diverse economies, whereas others, such as Iraq and Syria, have struggled in recent years. Healthcare spending in the Middle East varies greatly between countries. Some countries have relatively high healthcare expenditures as a percentage of GDP, such as the United Arab Emirates (4.25 %) and Kuwait (5.49 %), while others, such as Yemen and Syria, have lower expenditures.

Market Dynamics

Market Growth Drivers Analysis

Despite slow regional progress, some countries are making significant strides. In Lebanon and Algeria, for example, more than 80% of people living with HIV are aware of their HIV status, and more than 90% of those who are aware of their HIV-positive status are receiving treatment. Several countries are working to eliminate vertical HIV transmission. Community-led responses are also gaining traction, thanks to support from the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria (the Global Fund), and HIV service access for key and vulnerable populations affected by humanitarian emergencies has been improving. These factors may entice new entrants into the Middle East HIV therapeutics market.

Market Restraint

While the Middle East is one of only three regions where new HIV cases are increasing, it also has the world's lowest rate of HIV treatment coverage. According to the most recent Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/Aids (UNAIDS) report, only half of HIV patients in the Mena region were receiving treatment. These figures were even lower for women (44%) and children (40 %). While treatment is widely available, HIV stigma prevents people from testing and seeking treatment. As a result, according to the UNAIDS report, only 67 % of people living with HIV are aware of their status. These factors can refrain new players from entering the Middle East HIV therapeutics market.

Competitive Landscape

Key Players

• Jamjoom Pharma (SAU)
• Julphar (ARE)
• Tabuk Pharmaceuticals (SAU)
• Neopharma (ARE)
• Emirates Pharmaceutical Industries (ARE)
• Abu Dhabi National Pharmaceuticals (ARE)
• Deva Holding (TUR)
• Pharmactive (TUR)
• Abdi İbrahim (TUR)
• Qatar Pharma (QAT)
• Merck & Co.
• AbbVie
• Bristol Myers Squibb

Recent Notable Updates

June 2022: With its vision of "In Turkey for Turkey," Gilead, which began domestic production in collaboration with its partner Pharmactive, will be able to contribute roughly 70% of the volume of domestic products. With this $60 million localization investment, the company will manufacture innovative medicines in the fields of Hepatitis and HIV in Turkey, which have been identified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as the diseases for which access to drugs is most critical. Turkey has emerged as one of the world's most recent manufacturing hubs for the most cutting-edge and life-saving pharmaceuticals.

Healthcare Regulations

The Middle East has a complex regulatory environment for HIV therapeutic approval and regulation. Each country in the region has its own regulatory framework, and approval requirements can vary greatly. In general, the Middle East's regulatory process for HIV therapeutics adheres to international standards, with drugs subjected to rigorous testing for safety and efficacy before being approved for use. However, some countries in the region may have more stringent regulatory requirements or slower approval processes due to cultural, religious, and political factors. Several countries have implemented programmes to provide antiretroviral therapy for free or at a reduced cost, and efforts are being made to improve testing, counselling, and prevention services. Nonetheless, ongoing efforts to improve access to HIV therapeutics across the region, address regulatory barriers, and combat stigma and discrimination are required.

Reimbursement Policies

Access to HIV treatment and care is frequently limited in the Middle East, and reimbursement for HIV therapeutics varies across the region. National health insurance schemes in some countries, such as Israel and Lebanon, cover HIV treatment. The government frequently funds these programmes. A number of initiatives and organisations have been established in the region to support HIV treatment and care. The Middle East and North Africa Harm Reduction Association (MENAHRA), for example, is a regional network that advocates for the rights and needs of people living with HIV while also promoting harm reduction strategies to prevent the disease's spread. Furthermore, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) has set a 2030 target for ending the AIDS epidemic in the Middle East and North Africa through a combination of prevention, treatment, and care efforts.