Controlled Substances Market

Controlled Substances Market Overview (2023 to 2033)

The global controlled substances market size is estimated at US$ 85.2 Billion in 2023, and is expected to attain a valuation of US$ 139 Billion by 2033-end, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 5% during the forecast period from 2023 to 2033.

Controlled substances are usually drugs whose manufacturing, distribution, and possession are regulated by governments as they may have the potential to cause addiction or result in substance abuse. Usually, controlled substances are distributed through prescriptions given out by medical professionals for the treatment of various mental and physical health disorders.

Storing controlled drugs illegally and distributing them without prescriptions could result in legal action in almost all countries around the world, with penalties varying from cash fines to imprisonment. The surging use of controlled substances to treat various medical conditions and their rising use in drug development and drug formulation procedures is also expected to boost market growth across the forecast period.

Rising number of people opting for medical marijuana over prescription drugs for the treatment of mental and physical health conditions is also projected to uplift shipments of controlled substances over the next ten years. Moreover, rising investments in medical research and development activities are also slated to benefit market development going forward.

Increasing prevalence of chronic health disorders, growing awareness regarding the benefits of controlled substances, rising demand for alternative medicine, and growing popularity of electronic prescriptions for controlled substances are also projected to incite market growth in the long run.

On the contrary, the soaring use of controlled substances in the manufacturing of illicit drugs and trafficking of controlled medications are major issues that are plaguing the medical industry for years and are projected to hamper controlled substance sales in the future.

• In May 2022, CVS Health Corp. and Walmart Inc., announced that they would stop selling prescriptions for controlled substances issued by telehealth start-ups such as Done Health and Cerebral Inc. Walmart stated that the decision was made after an audit and compliance process regarding the prescription of controlled substances.

An assessment expanding your knowledge on market influencing aspects such as supply chain management, local supply, product standards, safety regulations, and other market trends has been mentioned listed in this controlled substances market research survey by Fact.MR, a market research and competitive intelligence provider.

Report Attributes	Details
Market Size (2023)	US$ 85.2 Billion
Projected Market Value (2033F)	US$ 139 Billion
Global Market Growth Rate (2023 to 2033)	5% CAGR
Market Share of North America (2022)	~35%
Key Companies Profiled	GlaxoSmithKline Plc SAFC/Cerilliant AMRI Mallinckrodt plc GW PHARMACEUTICALS PLC Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited Noramco Inc. Teva Pharmaceuticals Inc. Johnson Matthey Siegfried AG Cayman Chemical Consort Medical Patheon Canopy Growth Corporation Cambrex Pfizer Inc.

Which Start-ups are Altering the Future of Controlled Substance Sales?

“Cerebral and Done Global Inc. to Crucially Influence Future of Controlled Substance Vendors”

Telehealth start-ups picked up traction with the advent of the global COVID-19 pandemic that started in early 2020 and online prescriptions were made legal in several countries. This trend continued even after the pandemic situation subsided and this create an opportune scenario for new companies to roll out their telehealth and online consultation services.

• Cerebral, a mental health start-up founded in 2019, was being investigated by the United States Department of Justice for the prescription of controlled substances such as Xanax and Adderall. The company offers therapy and prescribes treatment for conditions such as insomnia, ADHD, anxiety, etc. The investigation is an ongoing affair since 2022 and also resulted in the company halting the issuing of prescriptions for controlled medications for its new patients.
• In September 2022, reports were surfacing that the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Diversion Control Division is investigating Done Global Inc., a virtual ADHD medication management start-up. However, a company official came out and stated that the company had not received any notification from the DEA or any other federal organization for the same.

The crackdown on telehealth and virtual health start-ups that began with Cerebral is now affecting demand and sales of controlled substances around the world. Adderall is a major controlled substance that has been causing issues since it has the potential for drug abuse and possible dependence.

Federal laws and regulatory mandates surrounding the distribution and use of controlled substances are anticipated to create obstacles for incoming controlled substance providers and also hamper the business potential of established controlled substance companies.

Country-wise Insights

How is the Market for Controlled Substances Faring in the United States?

“Surging Use of Controlled Substances for Treatment of Diseases”

The use of controlled substances is relatively high in the United States as compared to most of the other countries in the world. Being a leader in pharmaceutical manufacturing and having a robust healthcare infrastructure has made the country a highly attractive market for controlled substance manufacturers and suppliers alike.

Rising number of patients using opioids and other controlled medications for the treatment of several health conditions is also projected to open up new avenues of opportunity for controlled substance companies in the United States going forward. Moreover, the legalization of medical marijuana in several states of the country is also expected to uplift market development across the forecast period.

On the flip side, the presence of controlled medication trafficking and substance abuse problems in American society is expected to foil controlled substance shipments in the future.

Why Should Controlled Substance Producers Invest in Japan?

“Expanding Senescent Population and Rising Focus on Healthcare”

Investments in healthcare infrastructure development have been increasing in Japan just like most other Asian countries in the region and this is creating moneymaking opportunities for controlled substance suppliers. The Japanese government is taking steps to strengthen its healthcare infrastructure which has been under pressure owing to the rising aging population in the country.

Growing prevalence of cancer and other chronic diseases is also a factor that is projected to promulgate sales of controlled substances in Japan over the next ten years. Drug pricing in the country is controlled by its government and this is also a key factor that could alter the demand for controlled substances across the forecast period in Japan. The rising popularity of generic medications in Japan could pave the way for new drugs and medications formulated using controlled substances.

Why Could European Countries Witness High Demand for Controlled Substances in the Future?

“Germany, France, & United Kingdom to Lead Product Demand in Europe”

The approval process for new drug formulations and medications has been changing in several European countries and this is projected to uplift the demand for controlled substances in Europe going forward. Furthermore, the relaxation of prescription policies in European countries is also anticipated to promulgate sales of controlled substances over the next ten years.

Increasing geriatric population, rising investments from public and private sectors in medical R&D, rising healthcare expenditure, growing demand for alternative medicines, surging prevalence of chronic disorders, and increasing use of controlled medications for the treatment of chronic diseases are other factors that influence shipments of controlled substances in countries such as Germany, France, Italy, and the United Kingdom.

Category-wise Insights

Which Drug Class Accounts for a Commanding Market Share?

“Opioids Leading Global Market Growth”

Based on drug class, the market for controlled substances is segmented into opioids, depressants, stimulants, and marijuana.

Opioids account for a substantial share of the global controlled substances marketplace at present and are estimated to maintain a similar stance throughout the forecast period. They are extensively used in cancer treatment as they have pain-relieving abilities. The growing incidence of different types of cancers around the world is expected to boost the demand for opioids over the next ten years.

But the use of opioids is expected to be reduced in the long term owing its addiction issues that are increasing among patients around the world. Substance abuse through opioid drugs is a concerning factor that is projected to hamper sales of opioids across the forecast period.

Competitive Landscape

Prime controlled substance manufacturers are focusing on launching new products that help them maximize their business potential and gain a competitive advantage over other market players.

• In February 2023, Eighty Six, a provider of products derived from cannabinoids, announced its entry into the legal psychedelics marketplace with the launch of its new gummies under the name Fun Guy. The gummies are made from Amanita mushrooms that are legal through a loophole in all states of the United States except Louisiana.

More insights about new developments by leading controlled substance vendors and how they alter future pricing trends and product standards have been extensively discussed in this Fact.MR research survey.

Key Segments of Controlled Substances Industry Research

• By Drug Class :

  • Opioids
    • Codeine
    • Morphine
    • Fentanyl
    • Meperidine
    • Methadone
    • Oxycodone
    • Others
  • Stimulants
    • Amphetamine
    • Methylphenidate
    • Dextroamphetamine
    • Methamphetamine
    • Others
  • Depressants
    • Barbiturates
    • Benzodiazepines
  • Marijuana
    • Medical Marijuana
    • Recreational Marijuana

• By Application :

  • Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
  • Pain Management
  • Depression
  • Seizure
  • Anxiety
  • Sleep Disorders
  • Cough Suppression
  • Others

• By Distribution Channel :

  • Institutional Sales
    • Hospitals
    • Clinics
    • Rehabilitation Centers
  • Retail Sales
    • Retail Pharmacies
    • e-Commerce/Mail Order Pharmacies

• By Region :

  • North America
  • Latin America
  • Europe
  • APAC
  • MEA