Insomnia Treatment Market Faces Steep Decline

Insomnia drug sales will fall rapidly from $2.1 billion in 2013 to $1.4 billion by 2016, before steadily recovering to $1.8 billion by 2023, driven by the launch of two products, Merck & Co.’s Belsomra and Eisai’s E-2006, and an increase in the prevalent cases of insomnia, says research and consulting firm GlobalData.

PharmaPoint: Insomnia - Global Drug Forecast and Market Analysis to 2023 says that the sharp initial decline, which will occur across seven major markets will be primarily due to the generic erosion of Sunovion/Dainippon Sumitomo’s Lunesta (eszopiclone) in the US. This will impact the global market, as the US had a substantial 71.4% share in 2013.

According to GlobalData analyst Thomas Parker, while Lunesta was the highest selling insomnia treatment in 2013, with sales of approximately $617.9 million, Belsomra will be the market leader by 2023.

Parker commented: “Belsomra entered the insomnia treatment market in November 2014 and is forecast to be the highest selling insomnia drug by 2023, generating sales of approximately $458.6 million [across the seven major markets]. This is due to its first-in-class status, novel mechanism of action and evidence of long-term safety.”

GlobalData’s report also states that alongside generic erosion, low compliance and diagnosis rates will be significant factors curbing market growth.

Parker added: “Global sales of insomnia therapies are restricted by low compliance rates, with many patients consciously choosing not to take a given dose, as the consequences of medication noncompliance are relatively benign.