Small Molecule Prefilled Syringes Market Analysis

A small molecule drug is one that can easily enter cells due to its low molecular weight. Once inside the cells, it can interact with other molecules such as proteins and cause cancer cells to die. This is in contrast to drugs with a high molecular weight, which prevents them from easily entering cells. The pharmaceutical preparation of these small molecule drugs sold in prefilled syringes is known as a small molecule prefilled syringe. Small molecule prefilled syringes are an alternative to other forms of dosage such as capsules and tablets. The solution of active pharmaceutical components is filled into empty glass or polymer and plastic syringes. Prefilled syringe delivery systems are available for drugs in categories such as cardiovascular, neurology, adjuvants, and analgesics. Small molecule prefilled syringes have faster therapeutic action than syringes and tablets, as the drug directly enters the bloodstream.

Global Small Molecule Prefilled Syringes Market - Impact of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic

Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak was first reported on December 31, 2019, in Wuhan, China. The World Health Organization declared COVID-19 as pandemic on March 11, 2020. According to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Weekly Epidemiological Update by the World Health Organization, over 213 million cases and 4.48 million deaths due to coronavirus (COVID-19) were reported till August 25, 2021, across the globe.

Impact of COVID-19 on Demand and Supply of Prefilled Syringes

The COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown in various countries across the globe has impacted the financial status of businesses across all sectors including private healthcare sector. The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the entire supply chain of the healthcare industry mainly due to strict lockdown in several regions. The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the economy of various regions across the globe in three main ways; 1) by directly affecting the production and demand; 2) by creating disruptions in distribution channels; and 3) through its financial impact on companies and financial markets. Several countries such as Thailand, Indonesia, and Singapore are facing problems with regards to transportation and distribution of healthcare products.

In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted health-care delivery around the world, including delay in needle or syringe related diagnosis and treatment. Therefore, the impact of COVID-19 is expected to hamper the growth of global small molecule prefilled syringes market. For instance, according to an article published in International Journal of Drug Policy, September 2020, The Needle and Syringe Programs (NSPs) are organized for marginalized population for free access to injectables and for awareness of the adverse effects associated with injecting drugs. For instance, according to an article published in International Journal of Drug Policy, September 2020, the restrictions due to the pandemic resulted in a 36% decrease in the number of needle and service programs (NSP) clients in England, a 36% decrease in visits, and a 29% decrease in needle distribution as compared to 2019. NSP coverage for those injecting psychoactive drugs was cut in half, falling from 14 needles per week on March 15, 2020, to seven needles per week by mid-April, 2020.

The global small molecule prefilled syringes market is estimated to be valued at US$ 17,419.4 Mn in 2021, and is expected to exhibit a CAGR of 5.5 % over the forecast period (2021-2028).

Figure 1: Global Small Molecule Prefilled Syringes Market Share (%) Analysis, By Drug Class, 2021

The increasing cases of chronic diseases is expected to drive growth of the market over the forecast period.

The emerging prevalence of chronic diseases is expected to bolster the growth of global small molecule prefilled syringes market. For instance, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death worldwide. Moreover, in 2019, about 17.9 million people died from CVDs, representing 32% of all global deaths. Of these deaths, 85% were due to heart attack and stroke. Furthermore, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2019, coronary heart disease caused total 659,041 deaths, which is 200 deaths per 100,000 population in the U.S.

Adoption of Self-injection Devices

 Main benefits of prefilled syringes over conventional drug delivery systems are improved product safety, self-administration, accurate dosing, and low chances of drug contamination. Self- injection advantage of prefilled syringes is a major factor for increasing adoption of these, thus aiding in growth of the prefilled syringe market globally. For instance, in 2019, Fresenius Kabi AG, a global healthcare company, expanded its Simplist ready-to-administer prefilled syringe portfolio by launching Adenosine Injection in prefilled syringes indicated for the treatment of tachycardia.

Small Molecule Prefilled Syringes Market Report Coverage

Report Coverage	Details
Base Year:	2020	Market Size in 2021:	US$ 17,419.4 Mn
Historical Data for:	2017 to 2020	Forecast Period:	2021 to 2028
Forecast Period 2021 to 2028 CAGR:	5.5 %	2028 Value Projection:	US$ 25,411.8 Mn
Geographies covered:	North America: U.S. and Canada Latin America: Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, and Rest of Latin America Europe: Germany, U.K., Spain, France, Italy, Russia, and Rest of Europe Asia Pacific: China, India, Japan, Australia, South Korea, ASEAN, and Rest of Asia Pacific Middle East: GCC, Israel, and Rest of Middle East Africa: South Africa, North Africa, and Central Africa
Segments covered:	By Drug Class: Cardiovascular Drugs, Neurology Drugs, Analgesics, Adjuvants, Others By Material Type: Glass, Plastic & Polymer By Distribution channel: Hospital Pharmacies, Retail Pharmacies, Online Pharmacies
Companies covered:	Sanofi, Viatris Inc. (Mylan N.V.), AstraZeneca Plc, F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG (Genentech, Inc.), Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., Pfizer Inc., Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd., Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., Fresenius Kabi AG, and McKesson Corporation
Growth Drivers:	Increasing cases of chronic diseases Rising adoption of self-injection devices Increasing collaborations between the market players
Restraints & Challenges:	Increasing product recalls by regulatory authorities

Restraint- Global Small Molecule Prefilled Syringes Market

The regulatory authorities are recalling some prefilled syringes due to the increase in their adverse effects such as causing embolism in the body, which is expected to hinder the growth of global small molecule prefilled syringes market over the forecast period. For instance, in August 2021, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration identified Monoject Flush Prefilled Syringes (0.9% sodium chloride) as a Class I recall, the most serious type of recall and use of these devices may cause serious injuries or death. Monoject Flush Prefilled Syringes was marketed by Cardinal Health, a U.S. based multinational health care services company.

Global Small Molecule Prefilled Syringes Market – Regional Analysis

On the basis of region, the global small molecule prefilled syringes market is segmented into North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa.

North America is expected to hold dominant position in the global small molecule prefilled syringes market over the forecast period, increasing number of inorganic growth strategies such as collaborations between market players. For instance, in April 2019, Schreiner MediPharm, a Germany-based global provider of specialty pharmaceutical labeling solutions, announced collaboration with B. Braun Medical, a medical and pharmaceutical device company. The B Braun launched its prefilled syringe of Heparin Sodium injection, unique selling point (USP) utilizing Schreiner MediPharm’s label-integrated Needle-Trap system in the U.S. market.

Moreover, due to business expansion by investing in manufacturing units by market players, Europe is expected to witness a significant growth in global small molecule prefilled syringes market over the forecast period. For instance, in December 2020, BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company), a leading global medical technology company, announced plans to invest approximately US$ 1.2 billion over a 4-year period to expand and upgrade manufacturing capacity and technology for pre-fillable syringes (PFS) and advanced drug delivery systems (ADDS) across its six global manufacturing locations and add a new manufacturing facility in Spain.

Figure 2: Global Small Molecule Prefilled Syringes Market Value (US$ Mn), by Region, 2021

Global Small Molecule Prefilled Syringes Market – Competitive Landscape

Major players operating in the global small molecule prefilled syringes market include Sanofi, Viatris Inc. (Mylan N.V.), AstraZeneca Plc, F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG (Genentech, Inc.), Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., Pfizer Inc., Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd., Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., Fresenius Kabi AG, and McKesson Corporation.