Hemorrhoid Drugs Market Trends

Growth Drivers

• Government spending through Medicare and Medicaid: The investment initiative that the U.S. government spends on prescription drugs for painkillers, corticosteroids, and hemorrhoids is accurately tracked under Medicare Part D, which is driving the market. According to an article published by CMS in August 2024, the overall Medicare expenditure catered for almost 8.8 million of the 54 million in the Part D coverage, with standard drugs. In addition, these drugs accounted for USD 56.2 billion in the total Part D gross prescription drug expenses, denoting an estimated 20% as of 2023. Within the same duration, patients with this drug coverage spent USD 18.9 billion in out-of-pocket expenses, which included USD 3.9 billion for these drugs.

List of Drugs Under the Medicare Part D (2022)

Source: ASPE

• Expansion in over-the-counter (OTC) product portfolio and customer accessibility: The primary growth driver of the market, which is separate from demographic transitions and governmental expenditure, is the tactical extension and strong consumer access for over-the-counter hemorrhoid treatments. Besides, pharmaceutical organizations are increasingly making investments in the marketing and development of innovative OTC drugs that provide optimized efficiency, multi-symptom relief, and huge comfort. This comprises products that combine soothing agents, protectants, and relievers, such as witch hazel and aloe vera.
• Increasing disease prevalence and aging population: The market is expanding with a large patient pool, especially in areas of North America and Europe. According to an article published by NLM in April 2025, hemorrhoids are one of the most common conditions, which are encountered by surgeons, with an approximate international prevalence ranging between 2.9% to 29.7%. Additionally, an estimated 10% of these incidences successfully receive surgical treatment, based on which there is a huge demand for the market across different countries.

Therapeutic Mechanisms and Possible Indications of Representative Treatment Methods of Hemorrhoids (2025)

Source: NLM

Challenges

• Generic competition and patent expiries: One of the major roadblocks in the market is the absence of patent protection for notable and branded drugs, resulting in intensified generic competition. When an outstanding hemorrhoid treatment’s patent expires, different manufacturers are able to produce bioequivalent generic versions at a certain portion of the cost. This has dramatically eroded the revenue and the market share of the original innovator organization. Besides, the aspect of price sensitivity of both healthcare providers and consumers, particularly for a condition with different OTC options, denotes rapid adoption of cheap generics.
• Low treatment-seeking behavior and social stigma: One of the most fundamental challenges in the market is the low treatment-seeking and underreporting behavior, owing to embarrassment and social stigma connected to hemorrhoids. Numerous patients suffer in silence, depending on enduring symptoms and home remedies, in comparison to purchasing OTC products and consulting physicians. This particular stigma has limited volume sales as well as market penetration, which has effectively caused a hindrance in the market’s development internationally.