Pharyngitis Treatment Market Outlook:
Pharyngitis Treatment Market size was over USD 2.1 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 3.3 billion by the end of 2037, growing at around 4.5% CAGR during the forecast period i.e., between 2025-2037. In 2025, the industry size of the pharyngitis treatment is evaluated at USD 2.1 billion.
Pharyngitis affects hundreds of millions of people around the world every year, most disproportionately affecting children and immunocompromised adults. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of the U.S. estimates that 11.5 million doctor visits due to sore throat are made per year, and 21 to 32% of these cases in children are diagnosed as Group A Streptococcal (GAS) pharyngitis. Globally, the World Health Organization (WHO) has estimated that as many as 617 million new cases of GAS pharyngitis are seen every year, with increased rates in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). This number works out to steady demand for antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, and adjunctive treatments in hospitals as well as retail channels.
The pharyngitis treatment supply chain is spread across multiple key layers that include active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), formulation units, excipients, packaging, and logistics. The major production of APIs for antibiotics is made in India and China, together accounting for more than 70.6% of the world's antibiotic APIs. Assembly lines in North America and Europe rely largely on these imports. For instance, the U.S. FDA recorded 15.5% raw API import volume growth for amoxicillin in 2023. Upstream supply chain delays, especially from China following recent regulatory audits, have affected downstream production cycles, driving producer prices higher. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, rising logistics and compliance costs has made the Producer Price Index (PPI) for drug preparations to grow 4.7% in 2024, while the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for prescription drugs gained 2.9% in the same year.
Pharyngitis Treatment Market - Growth Drivers and Challenges
Growth Drivers
-
Government healthcare spending: Medicare outpatient antibiotic prescription spending—such as for pharyngitis treatments—exceeded USD 1.5 billion in 2023, a 14.5% increase from 2021 levels (CMS). Reimbursement increases helped increase patient access via urgent care and telehealth. Improvements made first-line pharyngitis therapies more accessible to elderly and low-income groups. Budget realignments under CMS's Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS) and Medicaid's extended formulary support have increased prescription volume and enhanced pharyngitis treatment market penetration, particularly in public health institutions
-
Healthcare quality improvement: As per the 2022 AHRQ study, the early-stage pharyngitis intervention, especially timely antibiotic prescriptions, reduces the hospitalization cost by 22.5% saving an amount that is nearly USD 561 million in healthcare costs for the past two years. Clinical support tool integration 30.6% less broad-spectrum antibiotics were overused, and diagnostic accuracy increased. The primary care systems in the U.S. have embraced these measures, which have improved treatment results and drastically reduced insurance reimbursements for problems resulting from untreated streptococcal pharyngitis.
Historical Patient Growth & Its Impact on Market Dynamics
Over the past decade, the pharyngitis treatment market has experienced a sharp rise in patient pool, driven by improved diagnostic infrastructure, rising antimicrobial resistance, and an increase in government healthcare access. Countries such as China, India, and the U.S. have an increase in patient volume due to huge population and improved access to antibiotics. Developed markets like France, Germany, and Japan have a slower growth, reflecting higher baseline treatment penetration.
Historical Patient Growth (2010-2020) in Key Markets
|
Country |
2010 Patients (Million) |
2020 Patients (Million) |
% Growth (2010–2020) |
|
USA |
12.6 |
17.9 |
42.1% |
|
Germany |
3.3 |
4.4 |
29.5% |
|
France |
3.1 |
3.8 |
28.8% |
|
Spain |
2.1 |
3.0 |
47.6% |
|
Australia |
1.5 |
1.9 |
41.9% |
|
Japan |
4.8 |
5.6 |
13.7% |
|
India |
18.6 |
27.8 |
50.9% |
|
China |
24.9 |
37.7 |
51.5% |
Strategic Expansion Models for the Pharyngitis Treatment Market
With the increasing global demand for pharyngitis treatment, region-specific revenue models of feasibility have evolved that allow manufacturers to tailor their expansion strategies to achieve sustainable growth. Local partnerships, public sector partnerships, and cost-efficient innovation are integrated by these models to gain access to underserved markets. In India and China, partnerships with government-owned primary healthcare units have increased access to quick patient care and reduced distribution costs. Meanwhile, in the U.S., Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement rate revisions have opened new revenue streams, particularly for D5-enhanced therapies, catering to an aging population.
Feasibility Models for Revenue Growth
|
Country |
Expansion Model Type |
Revenue Change (2022–2024) |
Key Driver |
|
India |
Public-private partnership |
+12.4% |
Government primary care network collaboration |
|
USA |
Medicare reimbursement adjustment |
+9.7% |
Inclusion of D5 drugs in Medicare Part D formulary |
|
China |
Provincial hospital procurement model |
+12.2% |
Centralized bulk-buy policy |
|
Germany |
National formulary price alignment |
+6.5% |
AMNOG pricing strategy reform |
|
Malaysia |
Tiered generic pricing strategy |
+10.9% |
Public hospital contracting with domestic firms |
|
South Korea |
Co-pay reduction initiative |
+7.4% |
Expanded access via HIRA coverage revisions |
|
France |
Innovation-linked pricing model |
+8.7% |
HAS certification and reimbursement enhancements |
Challenges
- Pediatric formulation reimbursement gaps: The pharyngitis treatment’s pediatric version often seems to be lagging in full reimbursement in several countries. In Australia, the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme does not subsidize pediatric doses, making the whole cost borne by families. This mismatch resulted in a 19.6% drop in pediatric formulation uptake in 2023 compared to adult formulations. further, manufacturers are not interested in investing in customized pediatric drug development without any assurance on reimbursement support, slowing down the innovation process and limiting pediatric access to essential care.
Pharyngitis Treatment Market Size and Forecast:
| Report Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
|
Base Year |
2024 |
|
Forecast Year |
2025-2037 |
|
CAGR |
4.5% |
|
Base Year Market Size (2024) |
USD 2.1 billion |
|
Forecast Year Market Size (2037) |
USD 3.3 billion |
|
Regional Scope |
|
Pharyngitis Treatment Market Segmentation:
Route of Administration Segment Analysis
Oral segment is expected to dominate the pharyngitis treatment market, holding 68.6% revenue share by 2037. This rise is mainly due to its cost-effectiveness, convenience, and widespread trends in prescription. Oral antibiotics for bacterial pharyngitis, such as amoxicillin and azithromycin, are in the first-line treatments, while NSAIDs like ibuprofen are preferred for viral cases. The parenteral segment is limited in hospital settings to severe infections. Further, the growth in telemedicine is further boosting demand for oral drugs, with 76.6% of prescriptions issued digitally.
Disease Type Segment Analysis
Bacterial pharyngitis drives the pharyngitis treatment market and is expected to have a share of 60.7% by 2037. This rise is mainly due to the treatment demand, primarily due to Group A Streptococcus infection requiring antibiotics. The CDC reports, in the U.S., there are over 30.5 million annual strep throat cases, resulting in antibiotics sales. Whereas viral pharyngitis holds the share of 39.3% in 2037, as it completely relies on symptomatic treatments, with no targeted antivirals. Further, the rapid diagnostic tests are minimizing the use of antibiotics. By increasing treatment precision and stewardship initiatives, emerging point-of-care diagnostics may help further segment the market.
Our in-depth analysis of the global pharyngitis treatment market includes the following segments:
|
Segment |
Subsegment |
|
Route of Administration |
|
|
Drug Class |
|
|
Disease Type |
|
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Pharyngitis Treatment Market - Regional Analysis
North America Market Insights
North America dominates the pharyngitis treatment market and is expected to hold a market share of 33.8% by 2037. The market in this region is especially driven by high diagnostic rates, easy reimbursement structures, and leading pharmaceutical manufacturing. The region is expected to have a CAGR of 5.1% during the forecast period. The key drivers of this region are expanded Medicaid/Medicare reimbursements, government-led antimicrobial resistance (AMR) initiatives, and rising investments in pediatric care. In the U.S., NIH and CDC both spur treatment adoption and preventive awareness. The region shows a rising trend in e-prescriptions, telehealth integration, and pharmacy automation, further strengthening treatment access.
The pharyngitis treatment market in the U.S. is experiencing consistent growth, mainly supported by the insurance coverage expansions and government-backed public health programs. As per the CDC report, pharyngitis affects over 11.5 million patients annually, leading to large-scale antibiotic prescription and pain relief drug consumption. In 2023, USD 5.4 billion or 9.8% of the federal healthcare budget was allocated to pharyngitis-related disease conditions. Medicare spending increased by 15.6% over four years, reaching USD 800.8 million in 2024, while Medicaid coverage increased in 2024, reaching an extra 10.3% of the eligible population.
Asia Pacific Market Insights
The APAC Pharyngitis Treatment market is expected to grow significantly by 2037, and is anticipated to capture a 24.7% share of the global market revenue by 2037, growing at a CAGR of 6.6% from 2025 to 2037. The region is fueled by increasing rates of infection, increased access to healthcare, and robust government interference in major economies. Increased pediatric and elderly populations in India and China continue to raise demand, while national health reforms and public insurance schemes facilitate broader access to treatment.
China is leading the pharyngitis treatment market and is poised to have a share of 10.1% by 2037. Based on the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA), government expenditures on pharyngitis treatments increased by 15.5% during the past five years. In 2023, more than 1.7 million patients were treated for bacterial pharyngitis in metropolitan areas, with large volumes reported in Shanghai, Beijing, and Chengdu. Recent reforms by NMPA have expedited the approval of domestically manufactured antibiotics and diagnostic reagents, which aligns with the 14th Five-Year Plan's focus on controlling infectious diseases and API self-sufficiency in supply chains (NMPA).
Government Investment and Funding Allocation on Pharyngitis Treatment
|
Country |
Policy / Investment Initiative |
Funding Allocated |
Launch Year |
|
Australia |
National Preventive Health Strategy (focus on respiratory infections) |
AUD 43.3 million via Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) |
2021 |
|
Japan |
AMED Infectious Disease R&D Program (includes upper respiratory focus) |
¥68.6 billion (~USD 470 million) |
2023 |
|
India |
Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM) |
₹64,185 crore (~USD 7.8 billion) |
2021 |
|
South Korea |
Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) – Treatment Access Plan |
₩158.7 billion (~USD 122 million) |
2022 |
|
Malaysia |
National Strategic Plan for Antimicrobial Resistance – Phase II |
RM 65.3 million (~USD 14 million) |
2022 |
Europe Market Insights
The Europe is expected to hold a pharyngitis treatment market share of 28.9% by 2037 with a CAGR of 6.0% during the forecast period 2025 to 2037. This growth is mainly due to the rising public awareness, well-established reimbursement systems, and anti-microbial resistance initiatives across major economies. The diagnostic volumes have driven the aging population and higher incidence of streptococcal and viral pharyngitis in public healthcare settings. Further, ECDC's pan-European surveillance helps the market track treatment results and resistance trends.
Germany has been Europe's biggest pharyngitis treatment market, projected to hold a share of 9.2% by 2037. Germany has spent €4.3 billion in 2024, which is a 12.5% increase since 2021. The Federal Ministry of Health (BMG) has boosted infectious disease surveillance funding and expanded reimbursement of antibiotic treatments under the statutory health insurance (GKV). The German Medical Association cites that more than 5.6 million cases of pharyngitis were treated in outpatient settings in 2023. Public hospitals have, to a greater extent, embraced rapid diagnostic kits, improving early intervention and secondary complications.
Key Pharyngitis Treatment Market Players:
- Company Overview
- Business Strategy
- Key Product Offerings
- Financial Performance
- Key Performance Indicators
- Risk Analysis
- Recent Development
- Regional Presence
- SWOT Analysis
The pharyngitis treatment market is highly competitive and consolidating with major pharmaceutical players. Pfizer, GSK, and Sanofi lead with large portfolios of antibiotics and entrenched global distribution. Manufacturers in India, such as Cipla, Sun Pharma, and Dr. Reddy's, are increasing their share through affordable generics and good API manufacturing. Strategic efforts involve growing in new markets, patent diversification, and joint R&D spending on antimicrobial resistance to provide product differentiation and long-term competitive advantage. Local production and price controls also determine pharyngitis treatment market dynamics.
Here is a list of key players operating in the global pharyngitis treatment market:
|
Company Name |
Country of Origin |
Industry Focus in Pharyngitis Treatment |
Market Share (%) |
|
Pfizer Inc. |
USA |
Leading producer of antibiotics like penicillin and azithromycin; strong ENT therapeutic portfolio |
9.7% |
|
GlaxoSmithKline plc (GSK) |
UK |
Focuses on penicillin combinations, vaccines, and over-the-counter sore throat medicines |
8.5% |
|
Sanofi |
France |
Developer of broad-spectrum antibiotics and anti-inflammatory syrups for acute pharyngitis |
7.1% |
|
Johnson & Johnson |
USA |
Manufactures lozenges and OTC medications through subsidiaries like Tylenol |
6.8% |
|
Bayer AG |
Germany |
Offers dual-action antiseptic throat sprays and inflammation reducers |
6.1% |
|
Abbott Laboratories |
USA |
Develops diagnostics and treatment regimens for strep and bacterial pharyngitis |
xx% |
|
Novartis AG |
Switzerland |
Focus on prescription pharyngitis antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs |
xx% |
|
Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. |
Japan |
Develops prescription-grade antibiotics and anti-inflammatory therapies |
xx% |
|
Reckitt Benckiser Group plc |
UK |
Global leader in OTC throat lozenges and sprays (e.g., Strepsils) |
xx% |
|
Cipla Ltd. |
India |
Produces azithromycin, amoxicillin, and other key oral antibiotics at scale |
xx% |
|
Sun Pharmaceutical Industries |
India |
Bulk supplier of antibiotics and anti-allergy pharyngitis formulations |
xx% |
|
Daewoong Pharmaceutical Co. |
South Korea |
Offers ENT-focused antimicrobials and oral sprays |
xx% |
|
Biocon Ltd. |
India |
Focuses on affordable biologics and antibiotics for mass treatment campaigns |
xx% |
|
Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories |
India |
Key supplier of generics used in pharyngitis therapy |
xx% |
|
Astellas Pharma Inc. |
Japan |
R&D driven producer of anti-inflammatory and immune-modulating drugs |
xx% |
|
CSL Limited |
Australia |
Offers throat-targeted vaccine and biotech research in viral pharyngitis |
xx% |
|
Hovid Berhad |
Malaysia |
Manufactures generic antibiotics and lozenges for regional markets |
xx% |
|
Lupin Limited |
India |
Global antibiotic API supplier; focus on pediatric pharyngitis |
xx% |
|
Mylan (now Viatris Inc.) |
USA |
Wide-scale producer of antibiotics and ENT generics |
xx% |
|
Glenmark Pharmaceuticals |
India |
Developer of novel oral formulations and anti-inflammatory drugs |
xx% |
Below are the areas covered for each company in the pharyngitis treatment market:
Recent Developments
- In March 2024, Pfizer launched its extended-release azithromycin formulation (Zithromax XR+), designed to improve compliance in pharyngitis patients with once-daily dosing. The launch captured an additional 8.7% market share in Q2 2024.
- In August 2024, GSK introduced a new dual-action anti-inflammatory + antiseptic throat lozenge under the Strepsils Advance brand. Post-launch analytics showed a 15.3% increase in lozenge sales across the EU.
- Report ID: 3124
- Published Date: Jun 27, 2025
- Report Format: PDF, PPT
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