Saudi Arabia Clinical Nutrition for Diabetes Care Market Analysis

Saudi Arabia Clinical Nutrition for Diabetes Care Market Executive Summary

The Saudi Arabia Clinical Nutrition for Diabetes Care Market is at around $36.55 Mn in 2023 and is projected to reach $55.98 Mn in 2030, exhibiting a CAGR of 6.28% during the forecast period.

Clinical nutrition for diabetes care refers to specialized dietary interventions and nutritional strategies designed to manage and improve the health outcomes of people with diabetes mellitus. It involves using evidence-based nutrition treatment to help diabetic patients control blood sugar, avoid complications, and enhance their overall metabolic health. The primary aim is to optimize nutrition, regulate blood sugar levels, prevent complications, and improve overall health outcomes for those with diabetes.

The increase in the prevalence of diabetes due to aging, obesity, and unhealthy lifestyles is one of the factors contributing to the growth of the global clinical nutrition market. Obesity is a major factor leading to diabetes. Clinical nutrition including medical foods and parenteral nutrition can help relieve symptoms or slow down the progression of a chronic condition. As the number of people with diabetes continues to grow, so does the demand for these specialized food products. Patients afflicted with diabetes are at higher risk of comorbidities, as diabetes is a major cause of blindness, kidney failure, heart attacks, stroke, and lower limb amputation, as reported by the WHO.

The leading pharmaceutical companies include Abbott Nutrition, Sanofi is known for its extensive portfolio of medications, including those essential for diabetes care. Novo Nordisk, Nestlé Health Science, and Danone Nutricia are also significant contributors to the Clinical Nutrition for Diabetes Care landscape, with continuous research and development activities.

Market Dynamics

Market Growth Drivers

Growing Prevalence of Diabetes: Saudi Arabia has a very high diabetes burden, mirroring a global trend. Saudi Arabia has a high prevalence of diabetes compared to many other countries. According to the International Diabetes Federation, the number of adults with diabetes in Saudi Arabia is projected to rise from 3.9 Mn in 2021 to 5.1 Mn by 2045, a 31% increase. Unhealthy lifestyles and dietary habits contribute to weight gain, a major risk factor for type 2 diabetes.

Advancements in Nutritional Research: Ongoing research is leading to the development of new and innovative nutritional products and therapies for diabetes management. Development of new dietary approaches to manage diabetes, like low-carb or Mediterranean diets. Studies are investigating the long-term efficacy and safety of low-carb and ketogenic diets for managing diabetes, alongside potential side effects and the need for individualization.

Focus on Preventative Healthcare: There's a growing emphasis on preventive healthcare in Saudi Arabia. This includes a focus on early detection of diabetes and prediabetes, as well as interventions to prevent the onset of the disease. Clinical nutritionists can play a key role by developing and delivering educational programs on healthy eating habits and helping individuals with prediabetes make lifestyle changes to prevent the progression to full-blown diabetes.

Market Restraints

High Cost of Specialized Products: Special clinical nutritional solutions for diabetes are costlier than regular supplements or conventional foods. This increased cost can pose a barrier to patient access, especially for low-income families or areas with inadequate healthcare resources. This underscores the financial burden associated with the high cost of specialized therapeutic foods used in diabetes treatment.

Dietary Preference: Saudi Arabia has a rich culinary tradition with a diet that often includes staple foods like rice, bread, lamb, and various spices. Introducing clinical nutrition products that deviate significantly from traditional dishes may face resistance. There might be a cultural inclination towards natural and whole foods. This preference could make it challenging for clinical nutrition products, especially those perceived as highly processed, to gain acceptance.

Limited Availability of Healthcare Professionals: There may be a shortage of healthcare professionals, such as registered dietitians and nutritionists, who are specifically trained in clinical nutrition for diabetes care. This limited availability can impact the delivery of comprehensive nutrition services and the adoption of clinical nutrition products.

Regulatory Landscape and Reimbursement Scenario

Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) is the primary government body responsible for regulating food products, including specialized diabetic food items and nutritional supplements. They oversee the registration, import, labeling, and marketing of these products.

The Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (SCFHS) is the main regulatory body overseeing healthcare professionals and practices in Saudi Arabia, including clinical nutrition. The SCFHS is responsible for setting standards for healthcare education, training, licensing, and certification of healthcare professionals in the country. All clinical nutrition products, including specialized diabetic food items and enteral feeding formulas, must be registered with the SFDA before being marketed or sold in Saudi Arabia. This process involves submitting detailed information about the product's ingredients, safety data, and intended use.

Saudi Arabia has implemented various policies and programs to promote healthy diets and prevent obesity and diet-related non-communicable diseases, such as the Spanish Strategy for Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Prevention of Obesity (NAOS).

Reimbursement policies often prioritize medications, insulin, and other medical interventions for diabetes control. Consultations with physicians, specialists, and some diagnostic tests might be covered depending on the insurance plan. Some private insurance plans in Saudi Arabia may cover the cost of clinical nutrition products, such as specialized medical foods or supplements if they are prescribed by a doctor as part of the patient's overall treatment plan for a medical condition like diabetes.

Competitive Landscape

Key Players

Here are some of the major key players in the Saudi Arabia Clinical Nutrition for Diabetes Care Market:

• Abbott Nutrition
• Boehringer Ingeleim
• Bayer Healthcare
• Nestlé Health Science
• Roche Diabetes Care
• Danone Nutricia
• Sanofi
• Fresenius Kabi
• Eli Lilly
• Novo Nordisk