Encephalitis Drugs Market Trends

Growth Drivers

• Government spending on encephalitis drugs: Medicare Part B supplies limited coverage for encephalitis diseases, and the spending has increased with an average annual rate of 9.3% in 2021 from the last decade. In the year 2021, part B drug expenditure reached USD 33.2 billion, accounting for 27.8% of total Medicare drug spending. The growth in spending can be attributed to the introduction of the novel and high-cost drugs. The amount of expenditure is significant, with the topmost drugs accounting for 51% of the expenditure. These expenditures highlight the significant financial commitment by the government to making a well-structured treatment for patients. 
• Biosimilar competition and cost saving: The advent of the biosimilar technique has made treatments more affordable and accessible. The original form of treatment is often exorbitant on the back of high research and development costs. The biosimilars are highly similar but less costly versions of the biologics, and further increased the competition. This compels the parent companies to lower the prices. For instance, in 2023, competition for biosimilar medicines in Medicare Part B reduced by 62.3% on various biologics. This helped in saving the beneficiaries almost USD 2000 on average. The widespread options for biosimilars for the treatment of encephalitis increase the accessibility and affordability.
• Healthcare quality improvement initiatives: There has been more spending on Medicare Part B drugs, showcasing an enhanced focus on upgrading the quality of healthcare. The rising spending on drugs administered by clinicians pushes treatments for better outcomes for patients, and can be administered in controlled settings. The World Health Organization has launched an initiative called encephalitis management protocols to lower the misdiagnosis and conduct timely treatment. Also, hospitals are adopting advanced testing options such as MRI scans and CSF analysis, leading to an increased rate of detection and demand for the drugs.

Challenges

• High cost of treatment limits the insurance coverage: In the U.S., the average cost of hospitalization for an adult is USD 15,580. Also, the cost for antimicrobial medication reached USD 1,145. These exorbitant costs often surpass the rates of reimbursement and limit the coverage and access to patients.
• Limited infrastructure for diagnostics: There is limited access to advanced diagnostic tools such as CSF PCR testing. The limited diagnostic facilities hamper the market by hindering the accurate identification of the diseases. In fact, in underdeveloped regions, misdiagnosis is also a prevalent issue.