Cancer Supportive Care Drugs Market Size, Share, and Trends 2024 to 2034

The global cancer supportive care drugs market size was USD 21.40 billion in 2023, calculated at USD 21.85 billion in 2024 and is projected to surpass around USD 26.90 billion by 2034, expanding at a CAGR of 2.1% from 2024 to 2034.

  • Last Updated : 13 Sep 2024
  • Report Code : 2665
  • Category : Healthcare

Cancer Supportive Care Drugs Market Size and Forecast 2024 to 2034

The global cancer supportive care drugs market size accounted for USD 21.85 billion in 2024 and is expected to be worth around USD 26.90 billion by 2034, at a CAGR of 2.1% from 2024 to 2034. The rising awareness about adverse effects caused by prolonged cancer treatment is expected to boost the growth of the cancer supportive care drugs market during the analyzed period.

Cancer Supportive Care Drugs Market Size 2024 to 2034

Cancer Supportive Care Drugs Market Key Takeaways

  • North America captured the maximum revenue share of the global market.
  • Asia Pacific is the fastest-growing region of the global market.
  • By therapeutic class, the granulocyte colony-stimulating factors (GCSFs) segment contributed more than 27% of revenue share in 2023.
  • By therapeutic class, the antiemetics segment is expected to record remarkable growth from 2024 to 2034.
  • By application, breast cancer is predicted to be the most profitable segment from 2024 to 2034.
  • By distribution channel, the hospital pharmacy segment holds the maximum share in the global market.
  • By distribution channel, the online pharmacy is predicted to witness a remarkable increase from 2024 to 2034.

Market Overview

Cancer supportive care drugs offer wraparound care for cancer patients, and they also help healthcare administration to navigate the illness. Cancer supportive care is a well-recognized discipline that plays around multiple aspects of medical care, including physical, psychological, and mental issues cancer patients face. The evolution in supportive oncology has focused on the improvement of cancer-supportive care drugs that can indicate the urgency of pain. 

Supportive care drugs for cancer are widely adopted, and oncologists prefer implementing them from the beginning of the cancer diagnosis. According to the National Cancer Institute, supportive care drugs run a gamut of physical as well as mental well-being. 

Supportive care drugs are proven to encompass post-therapy care for cancer patients. Cancer supportive care drugs help alleviate cancer complications and prevent treatment toxicities for cancer patients. Chemotherapy is one of the most effective treatments or therapies for cancer patients. However, prolonged chemotherapy may increase toxicity and reduce the quality of life; supportive cancer care drugs respond to these adverse experiences of cancer treatment. The supportive cancer care drugs or medicines delivery sessions include therapists, palliative care specialists, nutritionists, pain care specialists and medical advisors. Cancer-supportive care drugs have the potential to improve the healthcare experience and quality of life.

Cancer Supportive Care Drugs Market Growth Factors

The global supportive care drugs market is expected to witness a significant shift during the forecast period owing to the improving supportive oncology sector across the globe. The unhealthy diet and sedentary lifestyles have increased the prevalence of cancer across the globe in the last two decades. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately four lakh children develop cancer each year. Supportive care drugs for cancer patients lessen the pain and effects caused by cancer treatments; the rising prevalence of childhood cancer is expected to grow the demand for supportive care drugs from the healthcare sector. 

The increasing concerns about mortality caused by cancer have pushed the oncology sector to bring advanced and accountable treatment for cancer patients; the continuously rising focus on oncology research worldwide is fueling the growth of the cancer-supportive care drugs market. Various cancer treatments often cause serious adverse effects on the human body, and the rising awareness about the severe side effects caused by prolonged cancer treatment poses a driving factor for the market’s growth. 

The demand for cancer supportive care drugs is expected to boost from the high-income countries where comprehensive healthcare services are generally available. However, the rising preferences towards targeted molecule therapies for cancer patients will hamper the growth of the cancer-supportive care drugs market.

Market Scope

Report Coverage Details
Market Size in 2023 USD 21.40 Billion
Market Size in 2024 USD 21.85 Billion
Market Size by 2034 USD 26.90 Billion
Growth Rate from 204 to 2034 CAGR of 2.1%
Largest Market North America
Fastest Growing Market Asia Pacific 
Base Year 2023
Forecast Period 204 to 2034
Segments Covered By Therapeutic Class, By Application and By Distribution Channel
Regions Covered North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America and Middle East & Africa

Market Dynamics

Driver

Rising awareness about the adverse effects of chemotherapy on cancer patients

Chemotherapy is the most common treatment used for cancer treatment globally. Conventional chemotherapy is intended to give short-term or even prolonged hazardous adverse effects, including hair loss, skin infections, vomiting, nausea, loss of appetite, sore mouth, and anemia. Supportive care drugs for cancer patients significantly lessen the hazardous effects by protecting healthy cells and organs before they get affected by cancer cells.

Cancer-supportive care drugs promote tolerance to active therapy and reduce treatment toxicities. According to the article published by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) in August 2021, the patients receiving supportive care drugs saw fewer emergencies, hospitalizations, and department visits. Such benefits of supportive cancer care drugs or medicines are expected to drive the growth of the cancer supportive care drugs market with the rising awareness about side effects caused by chemotherapy.  

Restraint

Restrictive policies on the description of opioids

Opioid drugs are widely used in cancer patients to manage severe pain in cancer patients. Opioids are also prescribed for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy or other treatments, as they provide supportive care. However, opioids are restricted for prescription by considering the severe side effects caused by them, including respiratory issues, depression, osteoporosis, development of other severe disorders, neurological effects, and permanent brain damage. 

Opioids may even lead to coma or death. Multiple clinical data suggest that long-term use of opioids can cause erectile dysfunction in men and infertility in women. With this continuing public health crisis, several governments and health ministries are seeking strict laws and restrictions to limit or even restrict the prescription of opioids. Such restrictive policies on opioids will likely hinder the market’s growth.

Opportunity

The rising government focus on improving the oncology sector 

With the rising public health concerns, governments across the globe are focused on improving the overall infrastructure of the oncology sector in order to provide quality healthcare services to cancer patients. Many governments around the world are spending on centralized procurement programs and new therapy centers for cancer treatments. For instance, England has set a 10-year long-term plan for cancer to achieve the survivability of cancer patients by 55% before 2028. 

Moreover, the Indian government is currently focused on enhancing the number of linear accelerators required in radiation therapy. The rising government focus and spending on improving the oncology sector bring a plethora of opportunities for researchers to bring new and advanced supportive care drugs for cancer patients.   

Therapeutic Class Insights

The Granulocyte Colony Stimulating Factors (GCSFs) segment generated more than 27% of revenue share in 2023 and is expected to maintain its dominance during the projected timeframe. Prolonged radiation treatment for cancer may lead to chronic hematologic abnormalities; this condition can put cancer patients at risk of serious infections; GCSFs manage such issues during the cancer treatment. The GCSFs offer the benefits of mobilizing the hematopoietic stem cells during cancer treatment; this factor has boosted the demand for GCSFs in the oncology sector.

On the other hand, the antiemetics segment is expected to witness significant growth during the forecast period. Antiemetics control acute sickness, and the rising demand for anti-sickness drugs for chemotherapy patients is fueling the development of the antiemetics segment.

Application Insights

The breast cancer segment is expected to be the most lucrative segment during the forecast period owing to the rising cases of breast cancer among females across the globe. With the increasing instances of widespread metastasis in which the cancerous cells progress and spread in surrounding breast tissues, the treatment for breast cancer has become more rigorous and costly. To lessen and manage pain during the prolonged treatment of breast cancer, the demand for cancer-supportive care drugs is expected to grow. 

Patients who have already gone through radiation therapies for cancer treatment are vulnerable to lung cancer. Moreover, the rising consumption of tobacco and cigarettes is intended to increase the prevalence of lung cancer. Such factors will boost the demand for cancer-supportive care drugs for lung cancer, which enables the growth of the lung cancer segment.  

Distribution Channel Insights

The hospital pharmacy segment holds the largest share in the global cancer supportive care drugs market. The availability of specific medication plans for cancer patients in the hospital pharmacy drives the segment's growth. Moreover, the rising hospitalization of cancer patients in hospitals with advanced care settings is observed to drive the growth of the hospital pharmacy segment. 

On the other hand, online pharmacy is expected to witness a noticeable increase during the forecast period due to rising preferences for convenient prescription drug delivery. Value-added services by online pharmacies, such as online doctor consultations and medicine plans, support the growth of the online pharmacy segment. However, the reliability and accountability concerns over online pharmacies may hinder the segment’s growth. Moreover, the improved supply chain in the pharmaceutical sector, along with the rising sales of prescribed cancer medications, are supplementing the development of the retail pharmacy segment.

Regional Insights

North America holds the largest share of the global cancer supportive care drugs market; the region is expected to maintain its dominance over the analyzed period. The rapid adoption of the advancements in the pharmaceutical industry is observed as a significant driver for the growth of the cancer supportive care drugs market in North America. The presence of well-established vendors in the supportive care market will maintain the dominance of North America in the cancer supportive care drugs market during the forecast period. Moreover, the rising preferences for supportive care for early-diagnosed cancer patients are supporting the growth of the market in North America. However, the strict restrictions on opioid prescription and sale are creating an obstacle to the development of the cancer supportive care drugs market in North America.  

Asia Pacific is the fastest-growing region of the global cancer supportive care drugs market, owing to the increasing demand for supportive care from the oncology sector. Chemotherapy is widely used in the region for treating cancer patients. The rising number of chemotherapies in urban areas is predicted to boost the growth of the cancer supportive care drugs market in Asia Pacific. Moreover, the increasing vendor investments in oncology research will fuel the market’s growth in Asia Pacific.  

Germany, England and the United Kingdom are expected to be the most significant contributors to Europe's cancer supportive care drugs market. The rapid increase in breast cancer cases in female patients has boosted the demand for cancer supportive care drugs and palliative care in the region. Several private companies and governmental organizations are investing massive amounts in R&D activities in the oncology research sector to bring more advanced and reliable treatment for cancer patients; this factor is observed to fuel the market’s growth in Europe during the forecast period. The European researchers and healthcare sector are focused on implementing targeted therapies for cancer patients; this factor will likely hamper the growth of the cancer supportive care drugs market in the region.

Cancer Supportive Care Drugs Market Companies

  • Merck & Co.
  • Novartis AG
  • F. Hoffman-La Roche AG
  • Johnson & Johnson
  • GlaxoSmithKline Plc
  • Helsin Healthcare SA
  • Baxter International Inc

Recent Developments

  • In February 2023, a cloud-native software company in the healthcare sector, SOPHiA Genetics, announced that a full-service diagnostic laboratory in Alabama, Synergy Laboratories, will now use SOPHiA DDM to develop advanced cancer profiling solutions. Synergy Laboratories aims to expand its portfolio by implementing this innovative platform for cancer research and clinical trials. 
  • In December 2022, a commercial-stage biotechnology company, Mirati Therapeutics, announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had granted Breakthrough Therapy Designation (BTD) for adagrasib in combination with cetuximab. This demonstrates a promising clinical activity for patients with KRAS- mutated advanced colorectal cancer. 
  • In January 2023, the Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Company and Onco Power announced a strategic collaboration to build vital cancer-supportive care with the launch of a medication-saving suite. This initial by both companies leverages competitive pricing on generic medication. 
  • In February 2023, a leading RNA oncology company committed to providing support care drugs for cancer patients, TransCode Therapeutics, announced that it has received Orphan Drug Designation (ODD) from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for its lead therapeutic candidate, TTX-MC138, for pancreatic cancer.  
  • In March 2022, Novartis received approval from the United States Food and Administration (FDA) for Pluvicto, developed for the treatment of adult patients with prostate cancer. The cancer supportive care drug by Novartis is specially designed for cancer patients that already have had other anti-cancer therapies.  

Segments Covered in the Report

By Therapeutic Class

  • ESA (Erythropoiesis Stimulating Agents)
  • G-CSFs (Granulocyte Colony Stimulating Factors)
  • Antiemetics
  • Bisphosphonates
  • Opioids
  • NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Auto Inflammatory Drugs)

By Application

  • Breast Cancer
  • Stomach Cancer
  • Colorectal Cancer
  • Liver Cancer
  • Prostate Cancer

By Distribution Channel

  • Drug pharmacies/ Retail pharmacies
  • Hospital Pharmacies
  • Online Pharmacies

By Geography

  • North America
  • Europe
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Latin America
  • The Middle East and Africa

For questions or customization requests, please reach out to us at sales@precedenceresearch.com

Frequently Asked Questions

The global cancer supportive care drugs market size was accounted at USD 21.40 billion in 2023 and it is expected to reach around USD 26.90 billion by 2034.

The global cancer supportive care drugs market is poised to grow at a CAGR of 2.1% from 2024 to 2034.

The major players operating in the cancer supportive care drugs market are Merck & Co., Novartis AG, F. Hoffman-La Roche AG, Johnson & Johnson, GlaxoSmithKline Plc, Helsin Healthcare SA, Baxter International Inc and Others.

The driving factors of the cancer supportive care drugs market are the rising cases of colorectal, lung and stomach cancer in the geriatric population are observed to boost the demand and awareness about the adverse effects of chemotherapy on cancer patients.

North America region will lead the global cancer supportive care drugs market during the forecast period 2024 to 2034.

Ask For Sample

No cookie-cutter, only authentic analysis – take the 1st step to become a Precedence Research client

Meet the Team

Sanket Gokhale is one of the key authors contributing to the high-quality, actionable insights that define our market research reports. Sanket holds an MBA with a specialization in Healthcare Management, coupled with a Bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy. With over 5 years of experience in market research, Sanket has cultivated a deep understanding of the healthcare sector, from pharmaceutical innovations to healthcare

Learn more about Sanket Gokhale

With over 14 years of experience, Aditi is the powerhouse responsible for reviewing every piece of data and content that passes through our research pipeline. She is not just an expert—she’s the linchpin that ensures the accuracy, relevance, and clarity of the insights we deliver. Aditi’s broad expertise spans multiple sectors, with a keen focus on ICT, automotive, and various other cross-domain industries.

Learn more about Aditi Shivarkar

Related Reports