UK Addiction Therapeutics Market Analysis

UK Addiction Therapeutics Market Executive Summary

UK addiction therapeutics market was valued at $263 Mn in 2022 and is estimated to reach $385 Mn in 2030, exhibiting a CAGR of 4.9% during the forecast period.

Through the use of numerous techniques, treatments, and tactics, the goal of addiction therapy is to control and prevent addiction. While supporting people who are suffering from addiction and co-occurring difficulties, its main goal is to reduce or eliminate substance use, particularly the use of alcohol and drugs. Effective addiction treatment often takes a personalized, comprehensive strategy that considers each patient's unique situation, past drug use, co-occurring medical conditions, and social networks. Methadone and buprenorphine are two commonly used drugs prescribed as part of continuing treatment for opioid use disorder addiction. Acamprosate, disulfiram, and naltrexone are a few more drugs that are approved for the treatment of substance use disorders; however, they might not be started until after detox is over.

The Centre for Social Justice labeled the UK the "addiction capital of Europe," despite the fact that drug use in the country typically begins in social or recreational settings. Substance abuse affects millions of people every year, with an estimated 29.2 million weekly alcohol consumers and 313,971 drug users (aged 15 to 64) in the country. With 6,252 instances during 2015, Greater London is the drug-driving crime hotspot. Merseyside, which includes Liverpool and St Helen's, comes in second in the North West with 3,920 drug-related driving convictions, while Greater Manchester records 2,799 of these convictions during the same period. Greater Manchester is notable for having the second-highest number of drug seizures in the United Kingdom (91,148 instances since 2010), only surpassed by the capital. Since 2015, tetrahydrocannabinol, a chemical contained in cannabis, has been linked to 40,281 charges for driving under the influence. Furthermore, a metabolite of cocaine called benzoylecgonine causes 21,461 arrests of drivers. Looking at areas with rising drug-related arrest rates, Leicestershire has seen an increase of 83.67%, while Cleveland in Yorkshire and Essex in the South East have had increases of 83.42% and 76.62% since the pandemic began in 2020. In terms of alcoholism, Darlington in the Northeast had a startling 400% increase in just ten years, going from 1,346 to 7,092 cases. In terms of alcohol dependency, Southampton on the southern coast has seen an increase of 59.38%, while the City of London has had an increase of 57.33% since 2010. All of these numbers point to a significant rise in drug use and alcohol dependence in the UK, especially since the start of the global health crisis in 2020.

Suboxone, a combination of naloxone and buprenorphine, is the main product of Indivior, a UK company that specializes in treating opioid dependence. With significant sales of Suboxone, Indivior's UK addiction treatment market revenue is expected to range from $253 million to approximately $380 million in 2023.

Market Dynamics

Market Growth Drivers

Growing Recognition and Awareness: As the public's understanding and acknowledgement of substance use disorders has grown, so too has awareness and acceptance, which has inspired many to get help. The industry has grown as a result of efforts to lessen the stigma attached to addiction, since more people are now willing to seek treatment. The public's growing understanding and acceptance of addiction is one of the main factors driving the market for addiction therapies.

Government Support and Funding: The UK government has demonstrated its dedication by providing funds and resources for programs aimed at treating addiction. Increased accessibility to treatment alternatives has been made possible by market expansion fuelled by investments in public health initiatives, treatment programs, and support services.

Supportive Insurance Coverage: Adequate insurance coverage and reimbursement regulations encourage people to seek and afford treatment, which positively impacts the market for addiction therapies.

Market Restraints

Stigma and Perception: Stigma and societal attitudes toward addiction can prevent people from seeking treatment. Misconceptions or societal prejudices about addiction can prevent affected individuals from acknowledging their illness or seeking appropriate treatment options. This stigma associated with substance abuse restricts the market's potential for expansion.

Workforce Shortage: One issue is the lack of qualified medical professionals with expertise in treating addiction, such as counsellors, psychologists, psychiatrists, and addiction specialists. A small workforce may make it more difficult to offer complete care, which could result in gaps in the availability of treatments.

Regulatory Barriers: In the market for addiction treatment, strict laws, bureaucratic processes, and compliance requirements can occasionally make it difficult to create and implement cutting-edge treatment methods, which restricts the market's growth.

Healthcare Policies and Regulatory Landscape

In the United Kingdom, the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is responsible for the regulatory oversight of pharmaceuticals, including those used in addiction treatment. The MHRA ensures that pharmaceuticals meet strict safety, quality, and efficacy standards prior to approving and overseeing their market distribution. Furthermore, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) offers extensive national guidelines for health technologies, assessing their clinical and financial efficacy, and counselling medical professionals on the best ways to treat addiction. To improve outcomes and standardize care, government agencies collaborate to develop clinical guidelines and protocols specific to addiction treatment. Under the Misuse of Drugs Act, the UK also imposes stringent regulations on the use, prescription, and distribution of banned substances, including those essential to addiction treatment. The federal government provides financial assistance for a range of substance abuse and treatment services available around the country. These services include counselling, detoxification, medication, and rehabilitation programs that aim to address substance use problems holistically. Health organizations, local governments, and healthcare professionals working together to develop policies and strategies that increase treatment accessibility, reduce harm, and address the complex issues surrounding substance abuse are essential. Public health campaigns are also crucial because they coordinate efforts to fight stigma, spread evidence-based treatments, and encourage early interventions for successful addiction treatments among the general public and medical professionals.

Competitive Landscape

Key Players

• Indivior
• Reckitt Benckiser Pharmaceuticals
• Camurus AB
• Molteni Farmaceutici
• Ethypharm
• Martindale Pharma
• Accord Healthcare
• Sun Pharmaceutical Industries
• Wockhardt UK
• Martindale Pharma