Stakeholder Insight: Neuropathic Pain - Comparative Overview of Treatment Preferences Across the Seven Major Markets

Introduction

Following the success of Pfizer’s blockbuster Neurontin (gabapentin), interest in the neuropathic pain market has grown exponentially. The market will continue to grow unabated over the next ten years primarily due to increased public and physician awareness and new drug launches, including generic gabapentin.

Scope

• Analysis based on Datamonitor’s Neuropathic Pain Insight survey of over 594 physicians in the US, Japan, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the UK
• Referral patterns by indication by country, and treatment of five neuropathic pain types and fibromyalgia
• Analysis of the attributes of current treatments, with an overview of late stage pipeline products and physician awareness of these future treatments
• Physician perception of strategic issues including clinical trial design, unmet needs, and marketing, and the ’indication versus symptoms’ debate

Highlights

The current neuropathic pain market suffers from lack of public awareness, poor physician education (often leading to misdiagnosis), under-utilization of effective drugs, inappropriate use of medications, and regional variations in drug availability.

Datamonitor believes the ’indication versus symptoms’ debate is one of the most important issues in the current market. Datamonitor recommends existing and potential players consider the pros and cons of regulatory agency viewpoint and rulings across the seven major markets.

Branded products can continue their dominance of the market, supported by aggressive promotional campaigns and astute marketing and product positioning strategies. However, with generic gabapentin entering the market, more than ever companies need to be innovative to effectively define and claim market share.

Reasons to Purchase

• Gain a better understanding of the challenges faced by existing and future players in the neuropathic pain market
• Predict future trends in the treatment of neuropathic pain and how to capitalize on forthcoming changes in treatment practice
• Target lucrative areas of the market as defined by physicians, such as fibromyalgia, and understand why these areas offer commercial opportunity