Report coverage

A pharmaceutical suppository is a medication delivery technique that is inserted into the rectum, vagina, or urethra that dissolves or melts, allowing the medicine to be absorbed into the bloodstream. It is a small round or cone-shaped object that is inserted into a body. Suppositories make it easier for a person to take medicine that can’t be swallowed or that stomach or intestines wouldn’t absorb. For some past years, pharmaceutical suppositories are in high demand as they tend to work quickly. This is because the suppositories melt inside the body and are absorbed directly into the bloodstream. They're utilized to deliver drugs that operate both locally and systemically. Some are placed in the rectum, while others are placed in the vagina. Urethral suppositories are, however, less commonly used. According to research, taking drugs through the rectum creates a rather stable environment in which a drug can be delivered. However, absorption rates may be lower than for medications taken by mouth.

Pharmaceutical Suppositories Market Dynamics

The growing elderly population worldwide is the major consumer base for pharmaceutical suppositories. This is the primary factor that is driving the expansion of the global pharmaceutical suppositories market. According to the World Population Ageing stats, there were 727 million people aged 65 years or over in 2020. Moreover, the elderly population globally is projected to more than double, reaching over 1.5 billion in 2050. Elderly people usually cannot intake medication by mouth, also their digestive system is sensitive which makes them reluctant to take medicine by mouth. Thus, the elderly population is the primary reason for the growing demand for pharmaceutical suppositories' market share.

Medical suppositories are also advised to young ones by healthcare professionals as they often suffer from problems like constipation, vomiting, and stomachache. Reluctance towards high-powered dosage is also another factor that is contributing towards the high pharma suppositories market growth. Additionally, some of the worldwide pharmaceutical suppositories market trends are that they avoid the first-pass effect, melt at body temperature, could be given to unconscious patients, and are useful for rapid and direct effect in the rectum.

However, several stringent regulations imposed by the international governments in the industry are holding the market to grow at a slow pace. Then again, lack of awareness in developing countries and a social stigma tagged to suppositories are also creating a negative impact in the industry thus, limiting the global pharmaceutical suppositories market size. The suppository has to go through some strict approval guidelines to be launched into the market. Controlling the quality criteria of a dosage form in its final state is required by pharmaceutical standards. To release its active components, the entire suppository is melted in an independently tempered wet measurement unit to control particle size. Furthermore, advancement in medication coupled with growing research & development activities is expected to propel the market growth with some attractive business opportunities in the coming years.

Growing elderly population throughout the world

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), one out of every six persons on the planet will be 60 years old or older by 2030. The number of people aged 60 and more is expected to rise from 1 billion in 2020 to 1.4 billion by 2050. Between 2020 and 2050, the number of people aged 80 and more is predicted to treble, reaching 426 million. Population aging occurs in tandem with greater social and economic changes occurring around the world. Similarly, the organization states that the population is aging at a considerably higher rate than in the past. Therefore, the growing elderly population fuels the growth of the suppositories market, and according to the statistics; the market is going to enjoy substantial growth in the coming decades.

Global Pharmaceutical Suppositories Market Segmentation

The global pharmaceutical suppositories market is segmented based on type, base, distribution channel, end-user, and region. Based on the types segment, the market classifies as vaginal suppositories, rectal suppositories, and urethral suppositories. Among types, the rectal suppositories were the most demanded segment category in 2020. The high growth in the segment is credited to the growing emphasis on the development of rectal suppositories. Vaginal suppositories are anticipated to register significant growth during the forecast period.

By base, the segmentation bifurcates into the water-miscible base (soap glycerin suppositories, polyethylene glycol bases, and glycero gelatin base), fatty bases, and emulsifying bases (Massa esterium, witepsol, and massuppol). The emulsifying bases lead the base segment with maximum share in 2020 as they solidify rapidly, are nonirritant, and are less liable to get rancid. The distribution channel segment is further categorized into retail pharmacies, hospital pharmacies, and online sales. Among them, hospital pharmacies acquired the largest shares in 2020, while the online sales channel segment is expected to witness the fastest growth during the forecast timeframe from 2021 to 2028. Moreover, the end-user segment is further sub-segmented into hospitals & clinics, nursing homes, and home care. Where the hospitals & clinics segment generated the highest revenue in the year 2020 because of the increasing inclination of hospitals towards pharmaceutical suppositories to instantly treat pediatric or geriatric patients.

Global Pharmaceutical Suppositories Regional Overview

North America region is expected to lead the global market during the forecasted years from 2021 to 2028

Among all the geography, North America produced the highest revenues in 2020 and continues to do so. This is attributed to the presence of advanced healthcare facilities coupled with the presence of top pharma players in the region. However, the Asia-Pacific region is likely to register the highest CAGR throughout the forecast period due to the growing elderly population in countries such as China and India. Moreover, the rising cases of constipation and hemorrhoids in the region and growing investments in the healthcare & pharma industry propel the APAC pharmaceutical suppositories market growth.

Global Pharmaceutical Suppositories Competitive Landscape

This section of the report pinpoints various key vendors of the market. Some of the key players offered in the report include Bayer AG, Bliss GVS Pharma Ltd, Cadila Healthcare Ltd, Church And Dwight Uk Ltd, Cosette Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Limited, Intas Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Novartis International Ag, Pfizer Inc., and Sanofi S.A. among others.

Market Segmentation

Market By Type

• Rectal Suppositories
• Vaginal Suppositories
• Urethral Suppositories

Market By Base

• Fatty Bases
• Emulsifying Bases
  • Witepsol
  • Massa Esterium
  • Massuppol
• Water Miscible Base
  • Glycero Gelatin Base
  • Soap Glycerin Suppositories
  • Polyethylene Glycol Bases

Market By Distribution Channel

• Retail Pharmacies
• Hospital Pharmacies
• Online Sales

Market By End-User

• Hospitals & Clinics
• Home Care
• Nursing Home

Market By Geography

• North America
  • U.S.
  • Canada
• Europe
  • U.K.
  • Germany
  • France
  • Spain
  • Rest of Europe
• Asia-Pacific
  • China
  • Japan
  • India
  • Australia
  • South Korea
  • Rest of Asia-Pacific
• Latin America
  • Brazil 
  • Mexico
  • Rest of Latin America
• Middle East & Africa
  • GCC
  • South Africa
  • Rest of Middle East & Africa