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Pain Relief Medication Market Size

ID: MRFR//6959-HCR | 111 Pages | Author: Rahul Gotadki| April 2024

The rising prevalence of chronic pain conditions such as arthritis, back pain, and neuropathy is a key driver of the pain relief medication market. As the population ages and lifestyles become more sedentary, the incidence of chronic pain is increasing, driving demand for pain relief medications to manage symptoms and improve quality of life. Increasing healthcare expenditure globally is contributing to the growth of the pain relief medication market. As healthcare systems invest more in pain management and treatment, there is a greater availability and accessibility of pain relief medications, driving market expansion. Advances in pharmaceutical research and development have led to the development of new pain relief medications with improved efficacy, safety, and tolerability profiles. Innovations such as novel drug delivery systems, combination therapies, and abuse-deterrent formulations drive market growth by addressing unmet needs and expanding treatment options. There is a growing trend towards self-care and self-medication, leading to increased demand for over-the-counter (OTC) pain relief medications. Consumers are seeking convenient and accessible options to manage minor aches and pains without the need for a prescription, driving market growth in the OTC segment. With the aging population, there is a higher prevalence of age-related conditions such as osteoarthritis and degenerative disc disease, leading to increased demand for pain relief medications among older adults. The growing elderly population contributes to market growth by driving demand for both prescription and OTC pain relief medications.


Stringent regulations govern the approval, manufacturing, and marketing of pain relief medications to ensure safety, efficacy, and quality standards. Compliance with regulatory requirements influences market dynamics and consumer confidence in available medications, shaping market trends and product offerings. The opioid crisis and concerns about drug abuse and addiction have led to increased scrutiny of opioid pain medications and a shift towards non-opioid alternatives. Regulatory restrictions and public awareness campaigns aimed at addressing opioid misuse influence market dynamics by promoting safer pain management practices and driving demand for non-opioid pain relief medications. Recommendations from healthcare professionals, including physicians, pharmacists, and pain specialists, play a significant role in driving market growth. Healthcare providers prescribe and recommend pain relief medications based on patient needs and clinical guidelines, influencing market demand and prescribing patterns. Patient education initiatives aimed at raising awareness about pain management strategies, treatment options, and the risks associated with opioid medications drive market growth. Educating patients about the benefits of non-opioid alternatives and safe medication use influences consumer behavior and demand for pain relief medications.


Economic factors such as GDP growth, disposable income levels, and healthcare spending impact market demand for pain relief medications. Economic prosperity and rising incomes lead to increased spending on healthcare and medications, driving market expansion and sales of pain relief medications. The expansion of healthcare infrastructure and increasing access to healthcare services in emerging markets present growth opportunities for the pain relief medication market. Penetrating emerging markets drives market expansion and increases market share for pharmaceutical companies offering pain relief medications. Ongoing research into pain mechanisms, drug targets, and treatment modalities drives innovation and product development within the pain relief medication market. Investments in research lead to the introduction of new analgesic drugs, formulations, and delivery systems, shaping market trends and treatment options. Public health initiatives aimed at addressing chronic pain, improving pain management practices, and reducing opioid misuse drive market growth by raising awareness of pain relief options and promoting evidence-based treatment approaches. Collaborative efforts between government agencies, healthcare organizations, and industry stakeholders influence market dynamics and consumer behavior. The availability and accessibility of pain relief medications through various retail distribution channels, including pharmacies, supermarkets, online retailers, and healthcare facilities, impact market penetration and consumer access to these products. Intensifying competition among pharmaceutical companies and generic manufacturers drives innovation, pricing strategies, and market dynamics within the pain relief medication market. Competitive pricing, product differentiation, and marketing strategies influence consumer choice and market share distribution.

Covered Aspects:

Report Attribute/Metric Details
Market Size Value In 2022 USD 93.6 Billion
Market Size Value In 2023 USD 100.3 Billion
Growth Rate  7.2% (2023-2032)

Global Pain Relief Medication Market Overview


The pain relief medication market size was valued at USD 93.6 billion in 2022 and is projected to grow from USD 100.3 Billion in 2023 to USD 187.78 billion by 2032, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.2% during the forecast period (2024 - 2032). With rising hospitalizations and increasing production of pain relievers, companies are investing heavily in R&D activities to develop more effective, safer, and cost-effective pain relievers. These are just a few of the market drivers that are driving the market.Pain Relief Medication Market


Source Secondary Research, Primary Research, MRFR Database and Analyst Review


Pain Relief Medication Market Trends



  • The prevalence of diseases like cancer and other chronic diseases propels the market growth


Pain is a disturbing feeling due to tissue damage or disease. In addition, different types of diseases can cause discomfort, such as gastric ulcers, sclerosis, osteoarthritis, chronic arthritis, diabetic neuropathy, and cancer. The intensity of the pain varies from short-term acute to long-term chronic pain. Acute pain doesn't last long; it can last for months, weeks, or days. Joint conditions, aging bones, injuries and nerve damage cause chronic pain.


Various drugs are used to manage pain caused by tissue damage, nerve damage, or inflammation caused by pathogens. Most drugs work by binding protein targets to cells and affecting biochemical processes in the body. Pain relievers are very helpful for people with severe or minor pain. The availability of these drugs is readily available by prescription. Regulatory agencies examine the drug's active ingredient and then pass it on to use. Most painkillers are passed on to customers who use them, and the dosage is printed on the packaging. The rising population in different regions is a key factor for the growth of the pain relievers market. Pain is a major concern; injuries occur in various ways due to accidents, sports injuries, spinal dislocations, etc. Thus, this factor is driving the market CAGR.


Older adults are more prone to pain and other chronic conditions. The prevalence of diseases such as cancer, diabetic neuropathy, osteoarthritis, and other chronic diseases is also driving the growth of the painkillers market size. Rising procedural and healthcare spending owing to medical science and technology advancements is expected to drive the pain relief drugs market over the next few years. The market is expected to witness tremendous growth due to the high usage of pain relievers. Thus, this aspect will accelerate the Pain Relief Medication market revenue globally.


Pain Relief Medication Market Segment Insights


Pain Relief Medication Drug Class Insights


Based on Drug Class, the market segments of pain relief medication includes nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, opioids and others. The opioids segment held the majority share in 2022 in the  Pain Relief Medication market data. Due to the high efficiency of opioids in relieving pain in major chronic conditions. The anesthetics segment is anticipated to possess the highest growth rate during the forecast period.


Pain Relief Medication Indication Insights


The Pain Relief Medication market segmentation, based on Indication, includes cancer pain, neuropathic pain, musculoskeletal pain and others. Neuropathic pain dominated the market growth in 2022 and is projected to be the faster-growing segment during the forecast period 2022-2030. The increase in the presence of a large patient population is the major factor in increasing the demand for pharmaceuticals in this segment. Cancer and chronic back pain are expected to grow at the highest rate throughout the forecast period owing to the increasing volume of surgical procedures and the rising prevalence of chronic diseases leading to back pain worldwide.


Figure 1  Pain Relief Medication Market, by Indication, 2022 & 2030 (USD Billion)Pain Relief Medication Market, by Indication, 2022 & 2030


Source Secondary Research, Primary Research, MRFR Database and Analyst Review


Pain Relief Medication Distribution Channel Insights


Based on the distribution channel, the market data of pain relief medication includes hospital and retail pharmacies and online pharmacies. Hospitals and Retail Pharmacies – This is expected to be the largest segment owing to the increasing number of hospitals. Online Pharmacies – This is the fastest-growing segment due to the adoption of online shopping methods.


Pain Relief Medication Regional Insights


By region, the study provides market insights into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and the Rest of the World. The North America Pain Relief Medication market accounted for USD 42.8 billion in 2022, with a share of around 45.80% and is expected to exhibit a significant CAGR growth during the study period. Factors such as the increasing need for long-term pain management among the elderly and developments in the field of pain management are expected to drive market growth in North America.


Further, the major countries studied in the market report are The U.S., Canada, Germany, France, the U.K., Italy, Spain, China, Japan, India, Australia, South Korea, and Brazil.


Figure 2  PAIN RELIEF MEDICATION MARKET SHARE BY REGION 2022 (%)PAIN RELIEF MEDICATION MARKET SHARE BY REGION 2022


Source Secondary Research, Primary Research, MRFR Database and Analyst Review


Europe's Pain Relief Medication market accounts for the second-largest market share. The rising geriatric population and increasing demand for pain management are expected to influence over-the-counter pain medication shipments in the European region majorly. Moreover, the U.K. market of pain relief medication held the largest market share, and the Germany market of pain relief medication was the fastest-growing market in the region.


Asia Pacific Pain Relief Medication Market is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR from 2022 to 2030. There are 4,285,003 new cancer patients in China every year. The market will grow more during the forecast period owing to the rapid population growth in the region. Further, the China market of pain relief medication held the largest market share, and the India market of pain relief medication was the fastest-growing market in the region.


Pain Relief Medication Key Market Players & Competitive Insights


Major market players are spending a lot on R&D to increase their product lines, which will help the market growth of pain relief medication even more. Market participants are also taking various strategic initiatives to grow their worldwide footprint, with key market developments such as new product launches, mergers and acquisitions, contractual agreements, increased investments, and collaboration with other organizations. Competitors in the Pain Relief Medication industry must offer cost-effective items to expand and survive in an increasingly competitive and rising market environment.


One of the primary business strategies manufacturers adopt in the  Pain Relief Medication industry to benefit clients and expand the market sector is manufacturing locally to reduce operating costs. In recent years, the Pain Relief Medication industry has provided medicine with some of the most significant benefits. The Pain Relief Medication market major players such as Nestle, JM Smucker Company, The Kraft Heinz Company and Starbucks Pain Relief Medication Company.


Sanofi S.A. is a French multinational pharmaceutical and healthcare company headquartered in Paris, France. Sanofi develops, manufactures and markets pharmaceutical products, primarily in the prescription drug market, but the company also develops over-the-counter medicines. The company covers seven therapeutic areas cardiovascular, central nervous system, diabetes, internal medicine, oncology, thrombosis and vaccines. In July 2022, Sanofi entered a deal to hand over 17 products to central nervous system (CNS) specialist Neuraxpharm for an undisclosed sum.


Eli Lilly and Company is an American pharmaceutical company headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, with offices in 18 countries. Its products are sold in approximately 125 countries. In January 2021, Eli Lilly and Co will pay $20 million from Japan's Asahi Kasei Pharmaceuticals for the rights to an experimental drug for early testing in chronic pain, the Indianapolis-based drugmaker announced Thursday.


Key Companies in the market of Pain Relief Medication include



  • Nestle

  • JM Smucker Company

  • The Kraft Heinz Company

  • Starbucks Pain Relief Medication Company


Pain Relief Medication Industry Developments


October 2022 Parker Laboratories Inc., which develops, manufactures and markets pain relief ointments, ultrasonic and electro-medical contact media, and institutional cleaners and disinfectants, is expanding its pain relief products. The company has added Helix CBD Therapy Cream, Clinical Cream and Tri-Active Therapy Cream to its HelixTM range.


September 2022 St. Louis-based private equity firm Compass Group Equity Partners announces a strategic partnership with Mays & Schnapp Neurospine and Pain (“Mays & Schnapp”), a Memphis-based interventional pain management practice for Patients in Tennessee and Mississippi are served.


Pain Relief Medication Market Segmentation


Pain Relief Medication Drug Class Outlook (USD Billion, 2018-2030)



  • Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs

  • Opioids

  • Others


Pain Relief Medication End-User Outlook (USD Billion, 2018-2030)



  • Cancer Pain

  • Neuropathic Pain

  • Musculoskeletal Pain

  • Others


Pain Relief Medication Distribution Channel Outlook (USD Billion, 2018-2030)



  • Hospital and Retail Pharmacies

  • Online Pharmacies


Pain Relief Medication Regional Outlook (USD Billion, 2018-2030)




  • North America

    • US

    • Canada




  • Europe

    • Germany

    • France

    • UK

    • Italy

    • Spain

    • Rest of Europe




  • Asia-Pacific

    • China

    • Japan

    • India

    • Australia

    • South Korea

    • Australia

    • Rest of Asia-Pacific




  • Rest of the World

    • Middle East

    • Africa

    • Latin America



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