UAE Brugada Syndrome Market Analysis

UAE Brugada Syndrome Market Executive Summary

The UAE Brugada Syndrome Market is at around $6 Mn in 2023 and is projected to reach $10.8 Mn in 2030, exhibiting a CAGR of 8.8% during the forecast period.

Brugada syndrome is a rare, but potentially threatening, genetic condition that causes abnormal electrical activity in the heart, leading to an increased risk of sudden cardiac death. People with Brugada syndrome have an increased risk of irregular heart rhythms beginning in the lower chambers of the heart, i.e., the ventricles. Common signs and symptoms associated with Brugada Syndrome include dizziness, fainting, gasping and laboured breathing, particularly at night, irregular heartbeats or palpitations, extremely fast and chaotic heartbeat, and seizures. The risk factors for Brugada syndrome include family history of Brugada syndrome, being male, race, and fever.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a critical public health issue in UAE, where it is the leading cause of death accounting for 29.89% to 40% of all deaths. The UAE Brugada Syndrome Market is driven by significant factors such as growing prevalence of cardiovascular diseases, aging population, and advancements in genetic testing. However, high cost of treatment, side effects and complications of treatment, and limited R&D restrict the growth and potential of the market.

The major players of the UAE Brugada Syndrome Market are Julphar, Neopharma, Novartis, Boehringer Ingelheim, and Gulf Scientific Corporation, among others.

Market Dynamics

Market Growth Drivers

Growing Prevalence of Cardiovascular Diseases: Chronic diseases like autoimmune disorders, cancers, cardiovascular disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) require ongoing treatment. According to the MoHAP, cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of NCD deaths, accounting for 34% of all deaths in the country, followed by cancer which constitutes for 12%. With the population aging, lifestyle changes, and rising cases of diabetes and hypertension, cardiovascular issues are becoming more common. This has led to a heightened focus on hereditary conditions such as Brugada syndrome. As its prevalence grows, healthcare systems are investing more in research, diagnostic tools, and advanced treatments specific to Brugada syndrome. Consequently, the demand is rising, driving market growth.

Aging Population: The UAE is going through a demographic transition as the number of persons aged 60+ is expected to increase more than six-fold between 2020 and 2050 from about 311,000 (3.1% of the total population) to 2 Mn (19.7%). As the population ages, the incidence of cardiovascular diseases, including rare conditions like Brugada syndrome, increases. Older adults are more susceptible to arrhythmias and other heart problems, which leads to a greater need for specialized diagnostics and treatments for Brugada syndrome. This demographic shift fuels the demand for advanced healthcare solutions such as genetic testing, early diagnosis, and targeted therapies, promoting market growth.

Advancements in Genetic Testing: Advances in genetic testing are significantly driving the growth of the Brugada syndrome market. The development of more sophisticated and affordable genetic testing technologies has simplified the identification of individuals with Brugada syndrome or those at risk. Enhanced accuracy and availability of these tests allow for earlier diagnoses, enabling timely interventions and better condition management. As genetic testing becomes more routine in healthcare, awareness among healthcare providers and patients increases, resulting in higher diagnosis rates. This increase in early and precise detection of Brugada syndrome cases boosts the demand for specialized treatments and monitoring solutions, thereby expanding the market.

Market Restraints

High Cost of Treatment: The expense of treating Brugada syndrome, which often includes the use of implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) and continuous medication, is a major barrier to market expansion. The prohibitive costs can prevent many patients from accessing essential care, thus stifacing the growth of the Brugada syndrome market.

Side Effects and Complications of Treatments: The serious and potentially fatal complications of Brugada syndrome, such as sudden cardiac arrest during sleep, present a significant restraint on the market. The fear of these life-threatening outcomes may discourage individuals from seeking diagnosis and treatment. Furthermore, this also limits the development of preventive measures, as the small patient population available for clinical trials impedes research progress.

Limited R&D: The growth of the Brugada syndrome market is hindered by a lack of investment in research and development. As a rare condition, it receives less attention compared to more common diseases, limiting the development of advanced diagnostic tools, treatments, and preventive measures. This deficiency in research restricts the market's growth by reducing the availability of effective treatments and delaying their introduction, leading to uncertainties in disease management and prognosis for patients and healthcare providers.

Regulatory Landscape and Reimbursement Scenario

In UAE, the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) is the federal regulatory authority responsible for overseeing the healthcare system. It plays a critical role in safeguarding public health by ensuring the safety, quality, and efficacy of the medicines. In addition to MoHAP, other regulatory bodies that oversee licenses, register different types of products, and create healthcare policies and guidelines for hospitals and pharmacies are the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) and the Health Authority Abu Dhabi (HAAD).

The pharmaceuticals require approval before importing, selling or marketing in the UAE. Registration of pharmaceutical products is a complex process which requires extensive documentation and several requirements to be fulfilled by the companies. The overall approval process for pharmaceuticals and medical devices involves classification, application submission, review, and potential inspection. Depending on the device’s complexity and the application’s thoroughness, the evaluation procedure may take up to 45 working days.

The UAE’s healthcare reimbursement landscape involves a mix of public and private insurance. In the public sector, Government funds and taxes collected from patients with required insurance are frequently used to reimburse public hospitals and clinics. In the private sector, private insurance providers employ a range of techniques, including: Fee-For-Service (FFS) which pays medical professionals according to the services they offer (e.g., consultation, operation); the Diagnosis Related Groups (DRGs) defines a set fee for the treatment of a certain illness. Lastly, through the Managed Care, individuals with insurance might receive discounted treatments from networks of healthcare providers.

Competitive Landscape

Key Players

Here are some of the major key players in the UAE Brugada Syndrome Market:

• Julphar
• Neopharma
• Novartis
• Boehringer Ingelheim
• Gulf Scientific Corporation
• Medpharma
• AstraZeneca
• Bayer
• Biopharma
• Biotech Pharma