Drug Screening Market

Global Drug Screening Market:

The global drug screening market size reached USD 6.9 Billion in 2024. Looking forward, IMARC Group expects the market to reach USD 12.0 Billion by 2033, exhibiting a growth rate (CAGR) of 6.37% during 2025-2033. The growing number of drug traffickers and local dealers, rising cases of substance abuse, and increasing employment of virtual currencies represent some of the key factors driving the market growth.

Drug Screening Market Analysis:

• Major Market Drivers: Increasing demand for drug screening as it is accurate and provides spontaneous results is primarily driving the growth of the market. Furthermore, the rising cases of substance abuse around the world are also propelling the global market.
• Key Market Trends: The integration of advanced technologies such as automation, artificial intelligence (AI), and molecular diagnostics with drug screening tests to streamline workflows, reduce human errors, and enhance testing is acting as one of the significant key trends, bolstering the market growth.
• Competitive Landscape: Some of the leading drug screening market companies include Abbott Laboratories, Alfa Scientific Designs Inc., Bio-Rad Laboratories Inc., Drägerwerk AG & Co. KGaA, Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings, Lifeloc Technologies Inc., Omega Laboratories Inc., OraSure Technologies Inc., Psychemedics Corporation, Quest Diagnostics Incorporated, Siemens AG, and Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., among others.
• Geographical Trends: According to the report, North America is the largest market for drug screening. The growth of the region can be attributed to the escalating cases of substance abuse, the increasing number of drug dealers, and the rising black marketing of prescribed drugs.
• Challenges and Opportunities: The drug screening market faces hurdles related to the development of accurate and reliable tests, overcoming false positives and negatives, and addressing privacy and ethical concerns regarding sample collection and testing procedures. Opportunities lie in the integration of advanced technologies such as AI and machine learning for data analysis and the development of portable and point-of-care testing devices for convenient and rapid screening applications.

Drug Screening Market Trends:

Rise in Drug and Alcohol Consumption

The increasing consumption of drugs is resulting in an increased demand for drug-screening products. For instance, according to the 2023 European Drug Report, approximately 83.4 million adults (29%) in the European Union have reportedly used illicit drugs at least once. Cannabis is the predominant illicit drug consumed in Europe, with an estimated 8% of European adults using it in 2022, based on national surveys. Thus, a high number of the population consumes drugs, which impacts the lives of individuals and is likely to increase demand for drug screening, thereby bolstering the drug screening market’s recent price. Additionally, the rising utilization of drugs and alcohol, along with the need for treatment, is anticipated to drive up the demand for drug screening in hospitals. For instance, as per National statistics published by GOV. UK, in December 2023, between April 2022 and March 2023, around 290,635 adults received support for substance use issues. This is a small rise compared to the previous year, around 289,215. Moreover, the same source stated that the number of adults entering treatment from 2022 to 2023 was approx. 137,749, which is higher than the previous two years’ figures of 130,490 and 133,704. Such a significant rise in the number of people undergoing substance use is anticipated to propel the drug screening market demand.

Government Regulations

Several laws and regulations mandate drug and alcohol testing in various sectors, and the implementation of such laws is augmenting the demand for drug-screening products and devices. For instance, in November 2022, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) released updates outlining the drug and alcohol testing requirements. These regulations specify the individuals subject to testing, the frequency of testing, and the circumstances triggering testing. Additionally, the regulations safeguard employee privacy by limiting the use and disclosure of sensitive drug and alcohol testing information by employers and service agents. Besides the regulatory framework, government authorities of various nations are also taking initiatives to help severe addicts and individuals suffering from drug abuse, which is further propelling the drug screening market share. For instance, Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan is a program by the Indian Government that intends to reach out to the masses and spread awareness about substance abuse through various activities like awareness generation programs. Similarly, the government authorities of Canada are also investing in anti-drug strategy projects to help people with addiction come out of substance abuse. For example, the Calgary John Howard Society in Alberta, Canada, focuses on assisting youths aged 13 to 24 who face the risk of school dropout due to drug addiction.

Advancements in Testing Technologies

Ongoing advancements in drug screening technologies, such as rapid testing kits, laboratory-based assays, and point-of-care devices, are further driving the market growth by offering faster, more accurate, and cost-effective screening solutions. Moreover, the continuous improvement of drug screening technologies is resulting in enhanced accuracy and reliability and reduced likelihood of false positives or false negatives, ensuring confidence in test results and minimizing the need for confirmatory testing, thereby streamlining the screening process and reducing costs. For instance, in February 2024, Mobile Health introduced a new rapid drug testing service in New York clinics for employers to screen and hire candidates easily. Similarly, in October 2023, ProciseDx Inc. received de novo FDA clearance for the therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) tests for adalimumab (Humira and biosimilar Amgevita) and infliximab (Remicade and biosimilars Inflectra and Renflexis). These assays, called Procise ADL and Procise IFX, are used to quantify adalimumab (ADL) and infliximab (IFX) in patients suffering from inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) who are taking these drugs. Increasing approval of new drug tests and instruments is anticipated to propel the drug screening market revenue in the coming years.

Global Drug Screening Industry Segmentation:

IMARC Group provides an analysis of the key trends in each segment of the global drug screening market report, along with forecasts at the global, regional, and country levels from 2025-2033. Our report has categorized the market based on product and service, sample type, and end user.

Breakup by Product and Service:

• Equipment
  • Immunoassay Analyzers
  • Chromatography Instruments
  • Breath Analyzers
• Rapid Testing Devices
  • Urine Testing Devices
  • Oral Fluid Testing Devices
• Consumables
  • Assay Kits
  • Sample Collection Cups
  • Calibrators and Controls
  • Others
• Laboratory Services
   

Rapid testing devices represented the largest segment

The drug screening market report has provided a detailed breakup and analysis of the drug screening market based on the product and service. This includes equipment (immunoassay analyzers, chromatography instruments, and breath analyzers); rapid testing devices (urine testing devices and oral fluid testing devices); consumables (assay kits, sample collection cups, calibrators and controls, and others); and laboratory services. According to the report, rapid testing devices (urine testing devices and oral fluid testing devices) represented the largest segment.

Rapid drug screening test devices are portable, easy-to-use tools designed for quick detection of drugs in various sample types, such as urine, saliva, or blood. These devices offer several benefits, including rapid results within minutes, enabling on-the-spot decision-making in scenarios like workplace testing or roadside screening. Their simplicity allows for minimal training requirements, making them accessible to a wide range of users. Moreover, rapid tests are cost-effective, reducing the need for laboratory analysis and turnaround time. For instance, Dräger, a German company based in Lübeck that makes breathing and protection equipment, gas detection and analysis systems, and non-invasive patient monitoring technologies, introduced a rapid test named DrugTest 5000. In this test, saliva samples can be analyzed immediately for an accurate result on the spot. Furthermore, rapid screening devices play a crucial role in emergencies, aiding in the quick identification of drug intoxication or overdose for prompt medical intervention.

Breakup by Sample Type:

• Urine Samples
• Breath Samples
• Oral Fluid Samples
• Hair Samples
• Others
   

Urine samples accounted for the largest market share

A detailed breakup and analysis of the drug screening market based on the sample type has also been provided in the report. This includes urine samples, breath samples, oral fluid samples, hair samples, and others. According to the report, urine samples accounted for the largest market share.

As per the drug screening market overview, urine sample drug testing offers several benefits, making it a preferred method over other sample types in many scenarios. Firstly, urine testing is non-invasive and relatively easy to collect, minimizing discomfort and ensuring employee cooperation. Secondly, urine samples can detect a wide range of drugs and their metabolites, providing comprehensive screening capabilities. Thirdly, urine testing is cost-effective and suitable for high-volume testing, making it practical for workplace screening programs. Furthermore, urine testing is capable of detecting recent drug use, making it suitable for detecting impairment in safety-sensitive industries. Lastly, this testing is less susceptible to adulteration or tampering compared to other sample types, ensuring the integrity and reliability of test results.

Breakup by End User:

• Hospitals
• Drug Testing Laboratories
• Workplaces
• Drug Treatment Centers
• Pain Management Centers
• Personal Users
• Criminal Justice System and Law Enforcement Agencies
   

Workplaces accounted for the largest market share

A detailed breakup and analysis of the drug screening market based on the end user has also been provided in the report. This includes hospitals, drug testing laboratories, workplaces, drug treatment centers, pain management centers, personal users, and criminal justice system and law enforcement agencies. According to the report, workplaces accounted for the largest market share.

Drug screening tests in workplaces are conducted to detect the presence of drugs or alcohol in employees. These tests are typically performed as part of pre-employment screening, random testing, post-accident testing, or reasonable suspicion testing. The aim is to ensure a safe and productive work environment, minimize the risk of accidents and injuries, and deter substance abuse among employees.

Breakup by Region:

• North America
  • United States
  • Canada
• Asia-Pacific
  • China
  • Japan
  • India
  • South Korea
  • Australia
  • Indonesia
  • Others
• Europe
  • Germany
  • France
  • United Kingdom
  • Italy
  • Spain
  • Russia
  • Others
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
  • Others
• Middle East and Africa
   

North America (the United States and Canada) was the largest market for drug screening

The report has also provided a comprehensive analysis of all the major regional markets, which include North America (the United States and Canada); Asia Pacific (China, Japan, India, South Korea, Australia, Indonesia, and others); Europe (Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, Russia, and others); Latin America (Brazil, Mexico, and others); and the Middle East and Africa. According to the report, North America (the United States and Canada) was the largest market for drug screening.

Some of the factors driving the North America drug screening market included the growing cases of substance abuse, the increasing number of drug dealers, and the rising black marketing of prescribed drugs. Moreover, drug screening market statistics by IMARC indicate that the growing substance abuse rates in the region are bolstering the need for drug screening. For instance, in February 2023, according to an article published by the Pennsylvania State University, around 63% of adults aged 18 years and above were reported to alcohol consumption in the United States in 2022. Among these, males (66%) had higher alcohol consumption as compared to females (61%). Thus, the large number of alcohol consumers raises the need for drug-testing products and services and is augmenting the market growth in North America. Moreover, the government authorities of North America are mandating drug screening tests in various sectors, which is further catalyzing the market growth. For instance, in May 2023, the United States Department of Transportation regulated the drug testing program by including oral fluid testing to improve safety and reduce the chances of cheating involved with urine drug tests.

Competitive Landscape:

The report has also provided a comprehensive analysis of the competitive landscape in the global drug screening market. Competitive analysis such as market structure, market share by key players, player positioning, top winning strategies, competitive dashboard, and company evaluation quadrant has been covered in the report. Also, detailed profiles of all major companies have been provided. Some of the companies covered include:

• Abbott Laboratories
• Alfa Scientific Designs Inc.
• Bio-Rad Laboratories Inc.
• Drägerwerk AG & Co. KGaA
• Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings
• Lifeloc Technologies Inc.
• Omega Laboratories Inc.
• OraSure Technologies Inc.
• Psychemedics Corporation
• Quest Diagnostics Incorporated
• Siemens AG
• Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.
   

(Kindly note that this only represents a partial list of companies, and the complete list has been provided in the report.)

Drug Screening Market Recent Developments:

• March 2024: bioXcelerate, a new and innovative health data science division of Optima Partners Limited, revealed a groundbreaking AI tool, which is set to accelerate the process of identifying and developing new drugs. The tool, known as PleioGraph, can analyze complex medical data 100 times faster than existing state-of-the-art methods used to detect biological networks that explain disease risk and inform drug discovery.
• December 2023: Quest Diagnostics, one of the leading providers of diagnostic information services, unveiled its new confirmatory testing service for novel psychoactive substances (NPS). The new panel, which tests for 88 compounds, covers a broad array of drug classes, such as designer opioids, designer benzodiazepines, designer stimulants, fentanyl analogs, synthetic cannabinoids, and other illicit additives.
• October 2023: In India, Kerala police launched a rapid drug screening system that involves the utilization of a hand-held device, named the SoToxa Mobile Test System, and detects drug usage in 5 minutes.

Global Drug Screening Market Report Scope:

Key Benefits for Stakeholders:

• IMARC’s report offers a comprehensive quantitative analysis of various market segments, historical and current market trends, market forecasts, and dynamics of the drug screening market from 2019-2033.
• The research study provides the latest information on the market drivers, challenges, and opportunities in the global drug screening market.
• The study maps the leading, as well as the fastest-growing, regional markets. It further enables stakeholders to identify the key country-level markets within each region.
• Porter's five forces analysis assist stakeholders in assessing the impact of new entrants, competitive rivalry, supplier power, buyer power, and the threat of substitution. It helps stakeholders to analyze the level of competition within the drug screening industry and its attractiveness.
• Competitive landscape allows stakeholders to understand their competitive environment and provides an insight into the current positions of key players in the market.