As a result, the combined US, EU and Japanese ODT market has doubled in size over the past four years to surpass $6.4 billion in 2009. Increased generic competition has further expanded the ODT market volume. The number of commercial over-the-counter and prescription ODT products has ballooned to over 450, which is attributable to the rapid genericization of multiple products by a large number of generics companies. The ODT market is one of the fastest growing sectors of the drug delivery market, with industry experts projecting a 12-15% annual growth rate for the next several years. Based on upward global growth trends of the past decade, the ODT market could produce revenues of $13 billion by 2015.
Growth is fueled by patient demand, with recent market studies indicating that more than half of the patients prefer ODTs to other dosage forms1 and most consumers would ask their doctors for ODTs (70%), purchase ODTs (70%), or prefer ODTs to regular tablets or liquids (80%)2. Patient demand is driven by the fact that as many as 40% of Americans experience difficulty swallowing traditional tablets, even though most have no problems swallowing food or liquid. Results from a 2003 nationwide survey of 679 adults on pill-swallowing difficulties, conducted by Harris Interactive, indicated that of those who experienced difficulty swallowing pills, 14% had delayed taking doses of their medication, 8% had skipped a dose, and 4% had discontinued their medication. In addition to adults, the fast dissolving tablet market will prove particularly applicable to children and the elderly and anyone else who has trouble swallowing regular pills, tablets, or capsules; for example patients whose swallowing is compromised as a clinical symptom of disease.
Other groups who benefit from this dosing form include the mentally ill, developmentally disabled, and uncooperative patients. ODTs can also be used in the field, for example in combat zones or for relief efforts following natural disasters, where clean sources of water may be unavailable and rapid onset of action is desirable. Oral drug delivery remains the preferred dosing method among patients and physicians, with more than 80% of all drugs administered in this manner.
Rapid melt technology provides pharmaceutical companies with the opportunity for product line extensions for a wide variety of drugs, and ScripsAmerica sees a significant opportunity as a contract developer of Quickmelt specialty prescription pharmaceuticals. The current market for oral fast-melt drugs in the U.S. is $1.5 billion.
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