The global generic oncology drugs market size reached USD 30.7 Billion in 2024. Looking forward, IMARC Group expects the market to reach USD 46.8 Billion by 2033, exhibiting a growth rate (CAGR) of 4.8% during 2025-2033. The growing prevalence of cancer due to excessive smoking of tobacco products and consumption of alcohol, rising investments in research operations for developing novel drugs, and increasing implementation of stringent regulations for streamlining the drug production process are some of the major factors propelling the growth of the market.
Report Attribute
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Key Statistics
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Base Year
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2024
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Forecast Years
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2025-2033
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Historical Years
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2019-2024
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Market Size in 2024
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USD 30.7 Billion |
Market Forecast in 2033
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USD 46.8 Billion |
Market Growth Rate 2025-2033 | 4.8% |
Increasing Cases of Cancer
The rising incidence of cancer globally is acting as a major growth-inducing factor in the market. As cancer cases increase, so does the demand for effective and affordable treatment options. According to the American Cancer Society, 2,001,140 new cancer cases and 611,720 cancer deaths are expected to occur in the United States in 2024. Generic oncology drugs provide a cost-effective alternative to branded medications, making cancer treatment more accessible to a broader patient population. This is particularly important in low- and middle-income countries, where the financial burden of cancer treatment can be overwhelming. With cancer emerging as a leading cause of morbidity and mortality, the availability of cost-effective and reliable treatment options is paramount, which, in turn, is expected to generate the generic oncology drugs market revenue significantly. For instance, in March 2024, Zydus Lifesciences announced the launch of olaparib, a PARP inhibitor, under the brand name IBYRA in India, making advanced cancer treatment accessible to all.
Growing Government Initiatives and Regulations
Several governments across the world are implementing initiatives and regulations to promote the use of generic oncology drugs as part of broader efforts to reduce healthcare costs. For instance, in April 2024, Gland Pharma received approval from the USFDA to market a generic medication for breast cancer treatment, Eribulin Mesylate Injection. It's likely to be the first generic authorization in the market, having sales of around USD 92 million in the US. According to the generic oncology drugs market forecast, these initiatives often include policies that encourage the substitution of branded drugs with generics, streamlined approval processes for generic drugs, on incentives for manufacturers to produce affordable oncology medications. By supporting the adoption of generics, governments aim to make cancer treatment more accessible and sustainable, especially in countries with limited healthcare resources.
Rising Patent Expirations and Cost-Effective Solutions
The growing expiration of patents for many blockbuster oncology drugs is opening the market to generic versions, which are significantly more affordable than their branded counterparts. As patents expire, generic manufacturers can produce and market these drugs, leading to increased competition and lower prices. The availability of affordable generic oncology drugs ensures that more patients can access treatment, thereby creating a positive generic oncology drugs market outlook across the globe. For instance, according to a study by the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Government of India (GoI), 24 huge blockbuster medications, including the well-known asthma inhaler Symbicort and the internationally recognized arthritis and cancer medications Humira and Keytruda, are expected to lose their patents by 2030. Drugs that had annual sales of more than $250 billion, or Rs 20,000 crore, were confiscated. By 2030, 75 lakh crore are projected to become off-patent, thus providing a huge market for the manufacture of low-cost generics not only in India but across the globe.
IMARC Group provides an analysis of the key trends in each segment of the market, along with forecasts at the global and regional levels for 2025-2033.
Regional Insights:
North America leads the market, accounting for the largest generic oncology drugs market share
The report has also provided a comprehensive analysis of all the major regional markets, which include North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, the Middle East and Africa, and Latin America. According to the report, North America represents the largest regional market for generic oncology drugs.
The rising prevalence of cancer which increases the demand for cost-effective treatment options is driving the growth of the market across the region. The expiration of patents for major branded oncology drugs has opened the market for generic alternatives, offering more affordable options for patients and healthcare providers. The growing acceptance and availability of biosimilars, coupled with advancements in generic drug manufacturing are further contributing to the generic oncology drugs market growth in the region. For instance, in June 2024, Teva Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a subsidiary of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. based in the United States, announced the inauguration of an approved generic of Victoza1, in the U.S. The first-ever generic GLP-1, Victoza (liraglutide injection 1.8mg), helps meet the growing demand in the US market for this class of medications. Teva is further demonstrating its commitment to its sophisticated generic pharmaceutical portfolio with this launch. Liraglutide injection is recommended to lower the risk of cardiovascular events in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus. In addition to this, supportive government policies and initiatives aimed at reducing healthcare costs are encouraging the generic oncology drugs demand.
Report Features | Details |
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Base Year of the Analysis | 2024 |
Historical Period | 2019-2024 |
Forecast Period | 2025-2033 |
Units | Billion USD |
Scope of the Report | Exploration of Historical Trends and Market Outlook, Industry Catalysts and Challenges, Segment-Wise Historical and Future Market Assessment:
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Regions Covered | Asia Pacific, Europe, North America, Latin America, Middle East and Africa |
Customization Scope | 10% Free Customization |
Post-Sale Analyst Support | 10-12 Weeks |
Delivery Format | PDF and Excel through Email (We can also provide the editable version of the report in PPT/Word format on special request) |
The global generic oncology drugs market was valued at USD 30.7 Billion in 2024.
We expect the global generic oncology drugs market to exhibit a CAGR of 4.8% during 2025-2033.
The sudden outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has led to the growing adoption of generic oncology drugs over other methods of cancer treatments for reducing the risk of the coronavirus infection upon hospital visits.
The rising awareness towards the benefits of early cancer diagnosis, along with the increasing preference for generic oncology drugs among patients, owing to the high costs of full-length cancer treatment, is primarily driving the global generic oncology drugs market.
On a regional level, the market has been classified into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa, and Latin America, where North America currently dominates the global market.
The growing focus on biosimilars is gaining traction as patents for biologic oncology drugs expire which represents a key trend of the market. The development of new generic formulations with improved efficacy and safety profiles is also a significant trend. The market is witnessing a shift toward personalized medicine, where generic drugs are being integrated into tailored treatment regimens.
Ethical issues in the development of generic oncology drug include concerns about intellectual property, quality and safety, access and affordability, drug shortages, clinical trials, and transparency.