Prescription Cosmetic Treatments A Boon To Big Pharma And Baby Boomers Alike

Main Category: Dermatology
Also Included In: Cosmetic Medicine / Plastic Surgery
Article Date: 05 May 2010 - 22:00 PDT

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Lifestyle treatments that improve the effects of aging and damage to the skin have performed better than other dermatologic drugs due to the demands of an aging baby boomer population. These lifestyle products do not treat diseases but rather meet cosmetic needs, and they are a new focus for many pharmaceutical companies facing tough regulations, market conditions and fewer blockbusters. The trend was reported by healthcare market research publisher Kalorama Information in its new title "The Market for Prescription Dermatological Drugs, 7th Edition."

The pharmaceutical industry is facing a tougher environment in general, due to harder regulations for gaining approvals for mainstream products, the economic downturn, and a dwindling pipeline of new products, and prescription dermatologic makers have the same challenges. Reliance on blockbuster drugs is, according to Kalorama Information's research, no longer a viable strategy for many drug developers. In cosmetic medications, manufacturers are realizing there is less scrutiny from the FDA and healthy consumer demand for effective products that reduce the signs of aging such as wrinkles and imperfections of the skin.

Competitors are increasingly offering products that meet this need. According to the report, the market leader in the prescription anti-aging and photodamage market is Allergan, the producer of the popular Botox filler, but Dysport and other products in development may cause a slight shift in their market share in the future. Medicis, which produces the popular filler Restylane, and Johnson & Johnson, which offers Renova and the Retin A line, are also competitive in the cosmetic treatment market. Kalorama Information estimates the global market for prescription anti-aging and photodamage products reached $1.4 billion in 2009, largely due to the increasing popularity of collagen implants and injections. Growth should continue at an annual rate of 6.1% through 2014.

"There are many advantages to entering the largely untapped market for prescription anti-aging and photodamage products," notes Mary Anne Crandall, analyst for Kalorama Information and author of the report. "These include huge demand driven by the unquenchable desire of an aging population to hold onto its youthful appearance for as long as possible and fewer regulatory hurdles; also many therapies may offer a signification upside potential for a switch to nonprescription status in the future."

Kalorama Information's "The Market for Prescription Dermatological Drugs, 7th Edition" analyzes this market, identifies major market factors that may help to shape the global market in the future, and provides key information including market data and forecasts, product reviews, trends and issues, and detailed company profiles. The report is available here.

Source
Kalorama Information

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