Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) Market – By Drug Class, By Route of Administration, By Application, By Distribution Channel – Global Forecast, 2025 – 2034

Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs Market Size

The non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs market size was valued at USD 22.3 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.8% from 2025 to 2034. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are widely consumed drugs used to treat swelling and pain, or fever. Such medications are able to achieve such effects by blocking cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes, which are responsible for making prostaglandins that induce inflammation and pain.
 

One of the key factors spurring the growth of the NSAIDs market is the increasing incidence of chronic disorders such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and back pain. These disorders are chronic and require long-term care with anti-inflammatory medications for pain relief, and in most cases, NSAIDs are the medically recommended option. Furthermore, there is an increased demand for NSAIDs due to the growing elderly population who are at higher risk for a variety of chronic inflammatory diseases.

For instance, between October 2018 and December 2020, according to the CDC, diagnosed arthritis (age-adjusted) among those aged 18 years and older was about 18.9%, being more common among women (21.5%) than men (16.1%). It is more common in the older age group than in the younger age group; among adults aged 75 and over it is estimated at 53.9 percent, while for those aged 18 to 34 it is only 3.6 percent. These figures highlight an increasing and universal issue for which solutions are being sought, thus increasing the global need for NSAIDs.
 

In addition, the marketing and purchasing of retail and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs ibuprofen and aspirin add to the economic growth significantly, especially in developed and emerging markets. These are also known to be affordable medicines that relieve inflammation and moderate pain.
 

Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs Market Trends

• Nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems are being investigated to improve bioavailability and therapeutic drug outcomes.
   
• For long-term use, this is believed to have a greater effect if NSAIDs are overused with transdermal drug delivery systems for topical gels and sustained-release formulations. For instance, to treat oral dosages, frequent use of NSAIDs that are transdermal reduces compliance.
   
• The dosages provide greater convenience for patients, improve the therapeutic index, and target pain relief more precisely.
   

Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs Market Analysis

Based on drug class, the market is segmented into selective COX-2 inhibitors and non-selective COX inhibitors. The selective COX-2 inhibitors segment of the market is expected to experience the fastest-growing CAGR of 5.9% by 2034, driven by several factors.
 

• It's important to note that non-selective COX inhibitors work through COX-2 such as celecoxib and COX-1, which is related to gastrointestinal protection. Selective COX-2 drugs work to reduce inflammation and pain. As such, these drugs cause fewer gastrointestinal side effects. Hence, people with osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and chronic pain are preferred to use them more as a long-term therapy.
   
• In addition, other drivers such as the increased prevalence of chronic inflammatory disease necessitated the increase in efficacy, functional profile, safety, and patient outcome during management of control also propelled the need for these drugs.
   

Based on route of administration, the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs market is bifurcated into oral, parenteral, and topical. Oral segment dominated the market accounting for 58.2% market share in 2024, primarily due to the ease of administration, cost-effectiveness, and wide availability of oral NSAID formulations.
 

• Oral NSAIDs in the form of tablets, capsules, or liquids are very practical and non-invasive means for managing pain and inflammation, which is an important aspect for people with conditions such as arthritis or other musculoskeletal disorders.
   
• The other reason is ease of access to these drugs, as large numbers of patients are managed by over-the-counter medications, which makes them the most basic treatment for acute and chronic pain.
   
• The cost-effectiveness of the oral NSAIDs in comparison to other routes of administration further fuels its dominance in the market.
   
• In relationship to this issue, the comfort of using orally administered drugs for the patient and doctors' service providers explains the reasons for the widespread use.
   
• Thus, the aforementioned factors propel the market growth.
   

Based on application, the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs market is bifurcated into arthritis, migraine, ophthalmic diseases, and other applications. Arthritis segment dominated the global market accounting for 38.2% market share in 2024 due to the increased cases of arthritis worldwide, especially reactive arthritis, and the subsequent search for effective pain management solutions.

• Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis conditions are on the rise due to factors such as the aging population and lifestyle factors as well as increased awareness and diagnosis levels.
   
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) relieve pain and inflammation, thus enabling arthritis treatment, which is one of the most sought-after treatments for arthritis. In addition to that, there is improvement in pharmaceutical drug delivery technologies such as combination therapy and extended drug release, which in turn improve the therapeutic benefits and compliance of the patients.
   
• Additionally, the growing preference of patients for self-management of pain through over-the-counter medications is further complementing the growth of this segment.
   

Based on distribution channel, the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs market is bifurcated into hospital pharmacies, retail pharmacies, and online pharmacies. The online pharmacies segment is projected to grow at the fastest CAGR of 6.1% by 2034.
 

• The online pharmacy platforms make it more convenient for consumers to buy drugs. Providing the ability to compare prices, access product details, and have the product delivered, consumers are more inclined to utilize these. The increasing use of smartphones and better internet access, especially in remote areas, also aids this transition.
   
• Moreover, during the quest for a touchless shopping experience, even the healthcare market embraced e-commerce, and the COVID-19 pandemic played an important role when routine was compromised to adopt its use.
   
• With the services provided by online pharmacies, such as hosts of discounts and subscriptions, the affordability is heightened, and the fidelity generated from the customers is also beneficial. Furthermore, with the recent legalization of e-prescriptions as well as the standardization of the practices, online pharmacies have been able to convince the consumers, allowing for growth in the market.
   
• Thus, these reasons combine to support the increasing penetration of online pharmacies, which are becoming popular parameters used to measure the growth of the NSAIDs market.
   

The U.S. non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs market is projected to grow significantly, reaching USD 14.3 billion by 2034.
 

• Considering that life expectancy has grown considerably over the years, there is going to be an increased population of older adults in the U.S. The Population Reference Bureau anticipates this to occur as the population aged 65 and above climbs from 58 million in 2022 to 82 million by 2050, that’s a growth of 47%. Furthermore, this class of age is expected to grow from 17% of the total population to 23%.
   
• In turn, this results in an increased burden of age-related diseases in the country, primarily osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and other musculoskeletal disorders, which in turn increases the demand for NSAIDs as this impacts the older population of the U.S.
   

The NSAIDS market in UK is expected to experience significant and promising growth from 2025 to 2034.
 

• The number of patients suffering from musculoskeletal (MSK) disorders in UK such as arthritis, which frequently requires long-term usage of NSAIDs. According to a report made by Versus Arthritis in 2022, 20,295,706 people in the UK are suffering from MSK disorders, which in turn captures over one-third of the overall population. The result consists of 11.6 million women and 8.7 million men of all age groups.
   
• Therefore, since these illnesses affect more and more of the population, the use of NSAID medications is likely to increase, causing the UK market to expand.
   

Japan NSAIDS market is anticipated to witness lucrative growth between 2025 – 2034.
 

• The research argues that the elderly in Japan are more likely than others to use the newly developed selective COX-2 inhibitors and NSAIDs that are safer as they have lesser adverse gastrointestinal effects targeting them, encouraging the growth of this market.
   
• Moreover, this will improve patient compliance while simultaneously broadening the use of NSAIDs through the augmented usage of topical NSAIDs along with new innovative methods such as transdermal patches and extended-release formulations.
   

The NSAIDS market in Saudi Arabia is expected to experience significant and promising growth from 2025 to 2034.
 

• Vision 2030 seeks to augment the pharmaceutical production within Saudi Arabia, which might lead to enhanced investments in drug manufacturing. This measure fosters the availability of NSAIDs within the market, thus making them more affordable to the masses.
   
• Saudi Arabia has numerous medicinal partnerships with various pharmaceutical companies, thus this helps provide a better range of NSAID medicines formulations.
   

Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs Market Share

The market is competitive, composed of both global and local pharmaceutical companies. Various strategies they employ include investing in improved medicine formulations such as extended-release tablets, injectables to reduce adverse gastrointestinal effects, and gels or patches that alter the form of delivery.
 

Further, to make the transition into this new market, providers will have to gain the trust of clinics, pharmacies, hospitals, and online health platforms. Support for regulatory innovations for the development of safer and more potent NSAIDs aids in marketing. These activities make it easy to assess the intensity of competition in the NSAIDs market and, at the same time, address the emerging need for the management of pain and inflammation in the target customers and strengthen the companies’ positions.
 

Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs Market Companies

Some of the eminent market participants operating in the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAIDS) drugs industry include:

• Abbott Laboratories
• Bayer AG
• Cipla
• Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories
• Glenmark Pharmaceuticals
• Hikma Pharmaceuticals
• Johnson & Johnson
• Lupin
• Novartis
• Pfizer
• Sun Pharmaceutical Industries
• Teva Pharmaceuticals
• Torrent Pharmaceuticals
• Viatris
• Zydus Healthcare
   

• Esteemed for their novel blends, together with a wide array of prescription and non-prescription NSAIDs.
   
• Distinctively understands the essence of selling affordable generic products across the globe.
   
• Global reach and trusted brand recognition.
   

Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs Industry News: 

• In April 2024, Glenmark Pharmaceuticals received final approval from the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (US FDA) for its Acetaminophen and Ibuprofen Tablets, 250 mg/125 mg (OTC). The FDA determined these tablets to be bioequivalent to Advil Dual Action with Acetaminophen Tablets, 250 mg/125 mg (OTC), produced by Haleon US Holdings. The distribution of this product in the U.S. will be managed by Glenmark Therapeutics, US. This regulatory approval is expected to provide Glenmark with a competitive edge in the market.
   
• In February 2024, Hikma Pharmaceuticals PLC (Hikma), a multinational pharmaceutical company, announced the launch of COMBOGESIC IV (acetaminophen and ibuprofen) injection in the U.S. COMBOGESIC IV is an opioid-free, intravenous pain relief medication that combines 1,000 mg of acetaminophen with 300 mg of ibuprofen, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). This product launch has expanded the company’s portfolio and is expected to drive revenue growth.
   

The non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs market research report includes an in-depth coverage of the industry with estimates and forecast in terms of revenue in USD Million from 2021 – 2034 for the following segments:

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Market, By Drug Class

• Selective COX-2 inhibitors
• Non-selective COX inhibitors

Market, By Route of Administration

• Oral
• Parenteral
• Topical

Market, By Application

• Arthritis
• Migraine
• Ophthalmic diseases
• Other applications

Market, By Distribution Channel

• Hospital pharmacies
• Retail pharmacies
• Online pharmacies

The above information is provided for the following regions and countries:

• North America 
  • U.S.
  • Canada
• Europe 
  • Germany
  • UK
  • France
  • Spain
  • Italy
  • Netherlands
• Asia Pacific 
  • China
  • India
  • Japan
  • Australia
  • South Korea
• Latin America 
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
  • Argentina
• Middle East and Africa 
  • Saudi Arabia
  • South Africa
  • UAE