Global Abortion Drugs Market Size |
The abortion drugs market comprises medications that are specifically used to
induce abortion during early pregnancy. Mifepristone and misoprostol are the
key abortion drugs available in the market. These drugs work by blocking the
hormone progesterone, thereby thickening the lining of the uterus and inducing
abortion. The rising demand for non-invasive procedures along with the
legalization of abortion in various countries is driving the growth of the
abortion drugs market. The growing affordability of medical termination of
pregnancy services is also boosting market growth. Additionally, the
complications associated with surgical abortion like infection, hemorrhaging
etc. have increased the preference for pharmaceutical options for abortion
among women.
The Global
Abortion Drugs Market Size is estimated to be valued at US$ 4.07 Mn in 2024 and is expected to
exhibit a CAGR of 5.9% over the
forecast period from 2024 to 2031.
Key Takeaways
Key players operating in the abortion drugs market are BASF SE, Chang Chun
Plastics Co. Ltd., Georgia Pacific Chemicals LLC, Kolon Industries Inc.,
Prefere Resins, Mitsui Chemicals Inc., Sumitomo Bakelite Co., Ltd, Hitachi
Chemical Co. Ltd., SI Group, Inc., and Momentive Specialty Chemicals, Inc. BASF
SE and Mitsui Chemicals Inc. hold a significant share in the market owing to
their robust product portfolios and global sales footprint.
The liberalization of abortion laws in developing regions like Latin America
and decriminalization of elective abortion, up to a certain period of
gestation, in many European nations are expected to create growth opportunities
for players in the abortion drugs market. Additionally, favorable reimbursement
policies for medical termination of pregnancy in countries like Canada, UK and
parts of Europe will boost the adoption of abortion drugs.
Key players are expanding their operations globally through strategic
partnerships and acquisitions to strengthen their distribution networks across
international markets. For instance, in 2021, SI Group partnered with
International Planned Parenthood Federation to supply mifepristone for abortion
care services in developing nations. This helped the company to establish
presence across new geographies.
Market Drivers
Easy availability and awareness about medical abortion pills: Growing
accessibility of abortion pills like mifepristone and misoprostol through
e-commerce sites and increasing awareness about their effectiveness among women
is driving the adoption of abortion drugs. This reduces dependence on hospital
visits.
Reduced complications compared to surgical abortion: Abortion drugs cause less
pain and entail relatively fewer complications like infection, excessive
bleeding etc. compared to surgical abortion procedures. This makes
pharmaceutical abortion a safer option and propels market revenue.
Market Restraints
Legality issues in certain regions: Availability of abortion medications is
still restricted in countries with stringent abortion laws due to political and
religious concerns. This hampers market potential in such regions.
Require clinical supervision: Although abortion pills can be taken without
medical supervision, some health risks still persist if not taken properly.
Clinical guidance is advisable to address side-effects and ensure a successful
termination. This limits self-administration of drugs.
Segment Analysis
The Mifepristone sub segment currently dominates the abortion drugs market.
Mifepristone, also known as RU-486, is a pharmaceutical used for inducing
abortions during early pregnancy. It is used in conjunction with misoprostol to
cause medical abortion. Mifepristone provides an alternative to surgical
abortion and is considered a relatively safe and effective non-invasive option
for terminating early pregnancies. It accounts for over 60% of the market due
to its efficacy rate of over 95% when used with misoprostol. The Misoprostol
segment is also sizable and growing owing to increased popularity as a second
medicine protocol for medical abortion.
Global Analysis
The North America region leads the global abortion drugs market currently due
to favorable medical regulations and greater availability of new products
compared to other regions. Countries like the US and Canada allow usage of
medical abortion pills like Mifepristone and Misoprostol under certain
gestational limits. The region is expected to remain dominant over the forecast
period supported by rising focus on women's reproductive rights and high access
to modern contraceptive & abortion methods. Meanwhile, the Asia Pacific
region is anticipated to emerge as the fastest growing market in the coming
years. This can be attributed to increasing government investments towards
women's healthcare, and rising incidences of unwanted pregnancies in developing
nations like India and China. However, social stigma and religious influences
continue to impact market potential to some degree across the Asia Pacific and
Middle Eastern regions.
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