Epilepsy Drugs Market Growth Forecasts, Size & Share 2030

The epilepsy drugs market size is projected to reach US$ 10,705.48 million by 2030 from US$ 7,768.50 million in 2022; the market is estimated to record a CAGR of 4.1% from 2022 to 2030.

Market Insights and Analyst View:

Epilepsy is a neurological condition that can cause seizures and affects millions of people globally. Epilepsy drugs are also known as anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs), which are commonly used for the treatment of epilepsy as it helps in the better management of seizures among epilepsy patients. Some of the patients with drugs resistance epilepsy opt for other treatment methods such as surgery and devices that are implanted in the brain to helps in seizure management. The increasing elderly population has increased the prevalence of neurological condition, including epilepsy, along with increasing product launches in the market. The surge in government initiatives to increase awareness among large population and its treatment is likely to amplify the epilepsy drugs market growth in the coming years.

Growth Drivers:

Increasing Prevalence of Epilepsy Propels Epilepsy Drugs Market Growth

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder characterized by recurrent seizures. According to the data published by the World Health Organization in February 2023, epilepsy accounts for a significant share of the global disease burden, affecting nearly 50 million people across the world. The projected proportion of the general population with active epilepsy (i.e., with the need for treatment or continuing seizures) at a given time is between 4 and 10 per 1,000 individuals.

According to the same source (World Health Organization in February 2023), 5 million people are diagnosed with epilepsy every year worldwide. High-income countries are estimated to report epilepsy at a rate of 49 per 100,000 people annually. In low- and middle-income countries, this number can be as high as 139 per 100,000 individuals. This is likely due to the high risk of endemic conditions such as neurocysticercosis or malaria, birth-related injuries, and a high incidence of road traffic injuries. About 80% of individuals with epilepsy live in low- and middle-income countries. The data also reports that seizures can be controlled, and about 70% of individuals living with epilepsy could become seizure-free with appropriate use of antiseizure medicines. Antiepileptic drug therapy is the primary treatment for most patients with epilepsy. Seizure classification is a crucial element in designing the treatment plan, as some antiepileptic drugs have different effects against various seizure types.

Thus, the rising prevalence and incidence of epilepsy worldwide are contributing to elevate the demand for epilepsy drugs.

However, product recalls can adversely affect a company’s performance, reduce brand equity, cause panic among consumers, damage its reputation, result in revenue and market share losses, and cause an extensive amount of product returns. In recent years, there have been many product recalls in the epilepsy drugs market, negatively affecting the market growth. Below mentioned are a few recent recalls:

• In July 2023, Sanofi UK recalled a few batches of Sabril tablets and Sabril granules as a precautionary measure due to the detection of traces of tiapride in the source material of vigabatrin. Sabril (vigabatrin) is used as a monotherapy for the treatment of infantile spasms (West's syndrome) and as an adjuvant for focal seizures with or without subsequent generalization that is not well controlled with other antiepileptics (under professional supervision).
• In July 2023, Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Inc. recalled nearly 9,000 bottles of tiagabine hydrochloride tablets for failing to meet impurity specifications during testing, according to the US Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) Enforcement Report.
• In November 2021, Sagent Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced the voluntary recall of four lots of Levetiracetam Injection, USP, nationwide to the user level. Reserve sample vials found a lack of container closure integrity, which may result in a non-sterile product.
• In January 2020, Taro Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc. issued a voluntary nationwide recall of Lamotrigine tablets USP, 100 mg, 100 count bottles, on February 20, 2020. This single lot was found to have been cross-contaminated with a small amount of another drug (Enalapril Maleate) used to manufacture other different products at the same manufacturing facility. Lamotrigine 100 mg tablets are prescribed for epilepsy and bipolar disorder.
• According to the US FDA’s Recall Information updated on July 21, 2023, Aurobindo Pharma recalled 48 bottles each of 200 g and 400 g Rufinamide tablets. The recall was voluntary. Rufinamide is used to control seizures in individuals who have Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, which is a severe form of epilepsy.

Thus, the increased number of recent product recalls hinders the epilepsy drugs market growth.

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Epilepsy Drugs Market: Strategic Insights

Market Size Value in	US$ 7,768.50 million in 2022
Market Size Value by	US$ 10,705.48 million by 2030
Growth rate	CAGR of 4.1% from 2022 to 2030
Forecast Period	2022-2030
Base Year	2022

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Report Segmentation and Scope:

The “Epilepsy Drugs Market” is segmented on the basis of treatment, distribution channel, and geography. The epilepsy drugs market, by treatment, is segmented into first generation anti-epileptics, second generation anti-epileptics, and third generation anti-epileptics. In 2022, the second generation anti-epileptics segment held the largest market share; the third generation anti-epileptics segment is estimated to register the fastest CAGR during 2022–2030. Based on distribution channel, the epilepsy drugs market is segmented into hospital pharmacy, retail pharmacy stores, and others. In 2022, the hospital pharmacy segment held the largest market share, and the retail pharmacy segment is estimated to register the fastest CAGR during 2022–2030.

Segmental Analysis:

The epilepsy drugs market, by treatment, is segmented into first generation anti-epileptics, second generation anti-epileptics, and third generation anti-epileptics. In 2022, the second generation anti-epileptics segment held the largest market share; the third generation anti-epileptics is estimated to register the fastest CAGR during 2022–2030. The second-generation AEDs include felbamate, gabapentin, lamotrigine, levetiracetam, oxcarbazepine, pregabalin, rufinamide, stiripentol, tiagabine, topirate, topiramate, vigabatrin, and zonisamide. In North America and Europe, ZNS is also considered a second-generation drug. The higher cost of second-generation AEDs compared with first-generation drugs is a significant factor limiting their mention in formularies. The second-generation AEDs have a more favorable side-effect profile and a lower risk of teratogenesis compared with first-generation drugs. Many first-generation and several second-generation (AEDs) share a common feature of enzyme induction that can increase the metabolism of different substrates targeted by the cytochrome p450 enzyme, along with a decrease in the action of the inducer.

Epilepsy Drugs Market, by Treatment – 2022 and 2030

Access Data

Based on distribution channel, the epilepsy drugs market is segmented into hospital pharmacy, retail pharmacy stores, and others. In 2022, the hospital pharmacies segment held the largest market share; the retail pharmacy segment is anticipated to register the fastest CAGR during 2022–2030.  Hospital pharmacies purchase pharmaceuticals from different companies and supply them to hospitals for outpatient or inpatient treatments. Hospital pharmacies usually offer therapeutic and critical care drugs that have applications in cardiology, neurology, urology, pathology, hematology, and dermatology. Hospital pharmacies are among the essential parts of the healthcare system of any country. These pharmacies maintain stocks of epilepsy drugs to ensure their ready availability for patients. Thus, hospital pharmacies hold a considerable size of the epilepsy drugs market.

Regional Analysis – Epilepsy Drugs Market:

Based on geography, the epilepsy drugs market is segmented into five key regions: North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, South & Central America, and the Middle East & Africa. In 2022, North America accounted for the largest share of the epilepsy drugs market. Asia Pacific is expected to register the highest CAGR in the global epilepsy drugs market during 2022–2030.

The Asia Pacific epilepsy drugs market is segmented into China, Japan, India, South Korea, Australia, and the Rest of Asia Pacific. The growth of the epilepsy drugs market in this region is widely driven by the increasing prevalence of epilepsy along with surge in government initiatives to increase among large population in developing economies. China is expected to hold the major market share and India is expected to anticipate the highest CAGR. In 2019, the prevalence of epilepsy in India ranged from 3 to 12 per 1,000 people, with a significant number of incidences reported in the rural population. Due to substantial gaps in knowledge and practice, a majority of people with epilepsy in India do not receive suitable treatment, leading to a treatment gap. About one-third of people with epilepsy have drug-resistant epilepsy. According to a study, epilepsy is common in patients aged 30–50 years with male preponderance. Focal epilepsy was more prevalent in India. Levetiracetam and valproate are the most prescribed AEDs for focal and generalized epilepsy, respectively. 

Moreover, drug development is propelling the growth of the epilepsy drug market in the country. For instance, in March 2021, Alkem Laboratories announced the launch of Brivasure, an affordable antiepileptic drug for the treatment of epilepsy in India, post-patent expiry of innovator product of Brivaracetam on February 21, 2021. Brivasure has been approved by the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI). The drug has exhibited a faster onset of action efficacy with a favorable safety profile. Thus, owing to the aforementioned factors, the epilepsy drugs market is likely to grow efficiently.

China being the most populated country in the world is one with the most patients with neurological disorders. According to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, the prevalence rate of active epilepsy in China is 0.48% to 8.5%; there are approximately 9 million people with epilepsy in Mainland China, two-thirds of whom are children. ~30% of patients with epilepsy are not capable of controlling their seizures with the AEDs that are currently available in the market; thus, this disease has significant unmet medical needs.

Moreover, the drug approvals in the country are propelling the market growth. For instance, in August 2021, Eisai Co., Ltd. obtained two additional approvals of the antiepileptic drug (AED) Fycompa, as “a monotherapy for partial-onset seizures” and “an adjunctive treatment / a monotherapy for a pediatric indication for partial onset seizures in patients with epilepsy four years of age and older” in China from the National Medical Products Administration.

Fycompa has already been approved in China as an adjunctive treatment for partial-onset seizures with or without secondarily generalized seizures in patients with epilepsy 12 years of age and older. Through this approval, Fycompa is now available in China as a monotherapy and an adjunctive treatment for partial-onset seizures (with or without secondarily generalized seizures) in patients with epilepsy four years of age and older. The growth of the epilepsy drug market in China is primarily attributed to rising cases of epilepsy and increasing developments by the market players to develop epilepsy drugs.

Industry Developments – Epilepsy Drugs Market:

Various initiatives taken by leading players operating in the epilepsy drugs market are listed below:

• In October 2023, Novartis completed the Sandoz's spin-off through a dividend-in-kind distribution to holders of Novartis shares and American Depositary Receipts. Each holder received one Sandoz share for every five Novartis shares held at the close of business on October 3, 2023. The separation of Sandoz has led Novartis to complete its transformation, allowing it to focus as a medicines company.

• In September 2023, Sanofi sold Pharmanovia, a firm established in the UK, 11 brands from its portfolio related to the central nervous system, including the epilepsy medications Gardenal and Frisium. Along with Tercian, which treats anxiety and psychotic problems in patients who have already failed other medications, Sanofi is also getting rid of the epilepsy medication Gardenal and the nausea and vertigo medication Stemetil. 
• In January 2023, Pfizer Inc expanded its commitment to An Accord for a Healthier World. An Accord for a Healthier World is an initiative launched in May 2022 to reduce health inequities existing between many lower-income countries and the rest of the world. Pfizer Inc will offer its complete product portfolio of medicines and vaccines for 1.2 billion people living in 45 lower-income countries.             
• In January 2023, Catalyst Pharmaceuticals Inc acquired the US rights for FYCOMPA (perampanel) CIII from Eisai Co., Ltd (Eisai). The acquisition has allowed Catalyst Pharmaceuticals Inc to have an increased US commercial presence in neurology. It has also helped in the expansion of the product portfolio with an established, first-in-class, commercial-stage epilepsy asset.
• In January 2022, UCB acquired Zogenix for US$ 1.9 billion in a bid to bolster its epilepsy portfolio by adding Fintepla (fenfluramine), a marketed drug for the treatment of seizures associated with Dravet syndrome, a rare form of childhood epilepsy.

Competitive Landscape and Key Companies - Epilepsy Drugs Market:

UCB SA, Novartis AG, Pfizer Inc, GSK Plc, Abbott Laboratories, Sanofi SA, Sumitomo Pharma company, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd, Catalyst Pharmaceuticals Inc, and Alkem Laboratories Ltd are among the prominent companies operating in the epilepsy drugs market. These companies focus on new technologies, existing product advancements, and geographic expansions to meet the growing consumer demand worldwide.