Impact Analysis of Covid-19
The complete version of the Report will include the impact of the COVID-19, and anticipated change on the future outlook of the industry, by taking into the account the political, economic, social, and technological parameters.
Subcutaneous drug delivery has emerged as a promising and viable alternative to intravenous administration. The rising demand for subcutaneous drug delivery is attributed to the rapid development of biologics. Moreover, the subcutaneous route of administration is generally preferred, as it enables self-medication, improves quality of life, and thus reduces healthcare costs.
Furthermore, convenience and safety for both patients and medical professionals offered by subcutaneous devices are major factors leading to growth of the global subcutaneous drug delivery market. According to the World Health Organization, 2014, around 2 million healthcare professionals suffered from infectious diseases as result of needlestick injuries, globally. The retractable nature of prefilled syringes help to overcome this problem, thereby acting as an ideal device to reduce the occurrence of needlestick injuries.
The global subcutaneous drug delivery market size is estimated to be valued at US$ 9,111.6 million in 2020 and is expected to exhibit a CAGR of 9.7% over the forecast period (2020-2027).
Figure 1. Global Subcutaneous Drug Delivery Market Share (%), by Usability, 2020

Adoption of inorganic growth strategies by key players is expected to propel the market growth over the forecast period
Increasing focus of manufacturers on adoption of inorganic growth strategies such as collaboration and partnership, in order to strengthen their product portfolio of subcutaneous drug delivery systems is expected to drive the market growth over the forecast period. For instance, in October 2017, EVER Neuro Pharma GmbH acquired PHARMAGEN CZ s.r.o, a company that specializes in injectable segment, located in Slovakia, Europe.
Through this acquisition, EVER expanded its market presence in Europe and leveraged its specialty injectable portfolio.
Increasing focus of preventing the needlestick injuries to bolster the global subcutaneous drug delivery market growth
Needlestick injuries with injection needles and lancing devices are a key concern of patients with diabetes. Insulin syringe needlestick injuries is a percutaneous wound injury caused by the needle tips and can occur while using, handling, disassembling or disposing needles and syringes. Increasing awareness regarding safety and concern about needlestick injuries are major factors driving growth of the subcutaneous drug delivery market.
Preference for safety injection devices is increasing among healthcare professionals and manufacturers, as these devices decrease the chances of needlestick injuries. For instance, WHO recommended the use of safety syringes with sharp injury protection (SIP) in order to prevent needlestick injuries. Moreover, in May 2017, Innovative Neurons LLC announced its plan to commercialize its patented auto retractable multi-needle syringe known as FAST (fast, accessible, safe, and technology), to decrease needlestick injuries. In 2016, Nipro Medical Corporation launched 'SafeTouch' safety needle, which protects patients from needlestick injuries.
Global Subcutaneous Drug Delivery Market Restraint
The unavailability of approved products due to increasing number of product recalls by various developers is a factor hindering growth of the global subcutaneous drug delivery market. For instance, on May 18, 2020, Bausch & Lomb UK Limited announced a recall of Emerade 500 microgram auto-injectors, owing to error in one component of auto injector, which caused the failure to activate the pen and deliver adrenaline drug. Moreover, in April 2018, Becton Dickson and Company announced recall of PosiFlush Heaparin Lock Flush Syringe and Prefilled normal saline syringe, owing to contamination with Serratia marcescens bacterium.
In March, 2017, Mylan N.V. and its manufacturing partner for EpiPen Auto-injector voluntary recalled the EpiPen and EpiPen Jr auto-injectors distributed in the U.S. and markets in Europe, Asia, North, and South America in consultation with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The recall was initiated as a result of the failure of the device to activate in emergency due to a potential defect.
Subcutaneous Drug Delivery Market Report Coverage
Report Coverage |
Details |
Base Year: |
2019 |
Market Size in 2019: |
US$ 9,111.6 Mn |
Historical Data for: |
2016 to 2019 |
Forecast Period: |
2020 to 2027 |
Forecast Period 2020 to 2027 CAGR: |
9.7% |
2027 Value Projection: |
US$ 17,445.9 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 the Middle East
- Africa: South Africa, North Africa, and Central Africa
|
Segments covered: |
- By Usability: Disposable, Reusable.
- By Disease Indication: Auto-immune Disorders, Neurological Disorders, Oncology Disorders, Hormonal Disorders, Allergy & Infectious Disorders, Ophthalmic Disorders, Others.
- By Delivery Type:
- Prefilled Syringe
- Autoinjector: Spring Type, Motorized Type, Wearable Type.
- Prefilled Pen: Disposable, Reusable.
- Vial (Syringe), Pump and Others.
- By Distribution Channel: Hospital Pharmacies, Retail Pharmacies, Online Pharmacies.
|
Companies covered: |
Becton Dickinson and Company, Novo Nordisk A/S, Johnson & Johnson, Sanofi S.A., Novartis International AG, Amgen, Inc., Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG, Consort Medical plc, Eli Lilly and Company, and Merck & Co., Inc., Novartis International AG, Insulet Corporation, West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc., and Gerresheimer AG
|
Growth Drivers: |
- Increasing prevalence of arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and diabetes
- Increasing adoption of prefilled syringes
- Prevention of needlestick injuries
|
Restraints & Challenges: |
|
Global Subcutaneous Drug Delivery Market – Impact of Coronavirus (Covid-19) Pandemic
Following the outbreak of COVID-19 in December 2019, the disease has spread to over 100 countries across the globe and the World Health Organization has declared it a public health emergency. According to the World Health Organization’s report, the manifestation of coronavirus (COVID-19) has resulted in more than 5 million infected individuals worldwide as of June 2020.
COVID-19 can affect the economy in three main ways; by directly affecting the production and demand; by creating disruptions in distribution channels; and by its financial impact on firms and financial markets. Supply chain and manufacturing activities in India, China, and the U.S. are being disrupted due to global lockdown while many countries such as Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, and others are facing problems with regards to transportation of drugs from one place to another.
The stockpiling of subcutaneous or oral formulations due to the lockdown may cause a spike in demand for certain products. According to an article published in the Center for Biosimilars (American Journal of Managed Care), on February 27, 2020, manufacturers such as Novartis AG who have manufacturing facilities in Austria, Europe, are particularly at risk on the supply side.
Thus, the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is expected to limit growth of the global subcutaneous drug delivery market during the forecast period.
Figure 2. Global Subcutaneous Drug Delivery Market Value Share (US$ Mn), by Region, 2020

Initiatives by companies to make autoinjectors available to patients suffering from anaphylaxis and other disease conditions are driving growth of the North America subcutaneous drug delivery market. For instance, Mylan N.V. provides discount cards to epinephrine buyers, and offers discount of up to US$ 300 on the branded version of EpiPen and up to US$ 25 off on the approved generic version of EpiPen. Manufacturers are focused on combatting the product shortage issue in the region. For instance, in August 2018, Kaleo confirmed sufficient availability of AUVI-Q for anaphylaxis treatment.
Key Players
Major players operating in the global subcutaneous drug delivery market include Becton Dickinson and Company, Novo Nordisk A/S, Johnson & Johnson, Sanofi S.A., Novartis International AG, Amgen, Inc., Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG, Consort Medical plc, Eli Lilly and Company, and Merck & Co., Inc., Novartis International AG, Insulet Corporation, West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc., and Gerresheimer AG.