The malaria treatment sector is projected to expand significantly, increasing from US$ 3,296.98 million in 2022 to US$ 24,487.73 million by 2030, reflecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 28.5% during this period.
This growth in the malaria treatment market is primarily driven by the widespread occurrence of malaria in low-income nations and the global initiatives aimed at eradicating the disease, spearheaded by both international and national organizations. Additionally, the surge in the introduction of innovative diagnostic tools and the rise in research efforts focused on developing effective treatments are further propelling market expansion. Nevertheless, challenges such as the prevalence of counterfeit antimalarial medications and the emergence of drug resistance pose significant hurdles to market growth.
The World Health Organization's (WHO) latest World Malaria Report (WMR) 2020 indicates that there were 241 million malaria cases reported globally, an increase from 227 million in 2019. The report also highlights an annual increase of 69,000 malaria-related deaths. Notably, around two-thirds of these fatalities, approximately 47,000, were attributed to disruptions in healthcare services during the COVID-19 pandemic, while the remaining one-third, about 22,000 deaths, resulted from a recent adjustment in the WHO's methodology for calculating malaria mortality, independent of COVID-19 impacts.
The African region, as reported by the WHO, bears a significant share of the global malaria burden. In 2020, around 95% of all malaria cases and approximately 96% of malaria-related deaths occurred in Africa, with about 80% of these deaths involving children aged five and under. Four African nations?Nigeria, Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Mozambique?accounted for nearly half of all global malaria deaths. According to the LANCET Regional Health 2020, African countries experience the highest malaria burden, with P. falciparum being a major contributor to mortality rates in children under five, responsible for about 77% of such deaths worldwide. In Africa, P. falciparum accounts for approximately 96% of malaria-related fatalities among children. Meanwhile, P. vivax has been implicated in 2% (4.5 million) of total malaria cases, predominantly in Asia. The WMR 2021 noted that Southeast Asian countries recorded about 2% of the global malaria burden, with India alone accounting for 83% of estimated malaria cases and 82% of malaria-related deaths in 2020. Consequently, the increasing incidence of malaria across various regions is a key factor driving the growth of the malaria treatment market.
In response to the high prevalence of malaria, governments in several countries are implementing various strategies to combat the disease by enhancing access to healthcare services, including treatment options. Some notable initiatives include:
• Myanmar has established a national malaria control plan, approved by the Global Fund, aiming for the elimination of P. falciparum by 2030. The country's universal healthcare coverage includes access to malaria diagnostics through microscopy or rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) and artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs).
• Thailand's government has introduced a National Malaria Elimination Strategy (NMES) for 2017?2026, which employs an integrated approach to eradicate malaria by 2024.
• In January 2020, the Corporate Alliance on Malaria in Africa (CAMA) launched a strategic plan for 2021?2023, aiming to reach millions through malaria control interventions and enhance prevention efforts across Africa.
• These initiatives to raise awareness about malaria significantly support eradication efforts and contribute to the growth of the malaria treatment market.
The report categorizes the malaria treatment market as follows:
The malaria treatment market is divided based on treatment into generic drugs, originators, vaccines, and other categories. It is also segmented by route of administration into oral and parenteral methods. Furthermore, the distribution channels include direct tender, hospital pharmacies, retail pharmacies, online pharmacies, and others. Geographically, the market is segmented into North America (including the US, Canada, and Mexico), Europe (covering the UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, and the rest of Europe), Asia Pacific (including China, Japan, India, Australia, South Korea, and the rest of Asia Pacific), the Middle East & Africa (covering Saudi Arabia, the UAE, South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Nigeria, Ghana, Uganda, Angola, Cameroon, Senegal, Zambia, and the rest of the Middle East & Africa), and South & Central America (including Brazil, Argentina, and the rest of South & Central America).
Treatment-Based Insights
The malaria treatment market is categorized by treatment type into generic drugs, originators, vaccines, and others. The vaccines segment held the largest market share in 2022, as vaccines provide active acquired immunity against specific infectious diseases. The market for malaria vaccines is experiencing significant growth due to increased research and development activities and a growing pipeline of vaccine candidates.
Route of Administration-Based Insights
The malaria treatment market is further divided by route of administration into oral and parenteral & intravenous methods. The oral segment represented the largest market share in 2022; however, the parenteral segment is anticipated to exhibit the highest CAGR during the forecast period. Oral drug delivery is favored due to its high patient compliance, non-invasive nature, minimal sterility requirements, cost-effectiveness, flexibility in dosage form design, and ease of manufacturing. The advantages of ease of administration and long-term cost efficiency are significant factors driving the preference for oral medications.
Distribution Channel-Based Insights
The malaria treatment market is segmented by distribution channels into direct tender, hospital pharmacies, retail pharmacies, online pharmacies, and others. The direct tender segment accounted for the largest market share in 2022; however, the online pharmacies segment is projected to achieve the highest CAGR during the forecast period. The preference for oral drug delivery remains strong due to its numerous benefits, including high patient compliance and cost-effectiveness.
Key primary and secondary sources utilized in the preparation of the report on the malaria treatment market include the World Health Organization (WHO), the US Census Bureau, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), among others.