Orodispersible tablets are solid tablets intended to disintegrate or disperse in the oral cavity within three minutes without the need of additional water. Orodispersible tablets are convenient for geriatric patients and pediatric patients who face difficulty in swallowing conventional tablets. They are commonly prescribed for treating conditions like cold, cough, headache, and allergies. The global orodispersible tablets market is estimated to be valued at US$4.9 Bn in 2023 and is expected to exhibit a CAGR of 8.1% over the forecast period 2023 to 2030, as highlighted in a new report published by Coherent Market Insights.

Market Dynamics
Rising prevalence of dysphagia is driving the growth of orodispersible tablets market. According to National Institute on Aging, around 1 in 25 adults experience difficulty swallowing. Difficulty swallowing traditional tablets can lead to non-adherence to medication. Orodispersible tablets are beneficial for such patients as they dissolve quickly in oral cavity. Additionally, increasing focus on patient-centric drug delivery systems is also propelling the demand for orodispersible tablets. Conventional tablets require water for oral administration which can be inconvenient during travelling. Orodispersible tablets eliminates the need of water, thereby improving patient compliance.

SWOT Analysis
Strength: Orodispersible tablets have three main strengths. First, they have ease of administration as they dissolve or disperse in the mouth without the need for water. Second, they show improved patient compliance as elderly and pediatric patients find it convenient to take without water. Third, orodispersible tablets demonstrate improved bioavailability as they dissolve quickly in the saliva and are absorbed from the mouth, throat, and esophagus.

Weakness: Two main weaknesses of orodispersible tablets include poor stability issues and lack of strength. They have limited formulation options and show stability issues related to moisture and humidity. Orodispersible tablets lack strength and may break or crumble easily during manufacturing and packaging.

Opportunity: There are two key opportunities for orodispersible tablets. First, the growing geriatric and pediatric population suffering from dysphagia has increased the demand for easy-to-swallow solid dosage forms. Second, the shift from conventional tablets to innovative drug delivery systems and convenience packaging presents an opportunity to leverage technology and gain market share.

Threats: Regulatory changes and patent expirations pose two threats. Frequent changes in regulatory guidelines for new drug applications delay product approval. Also, patent expirations of major drugs allow generic competition, affecting revenues of innovators.

Key Takeaways

The global orodispersible tablets market is expected to witness high growth.

Regional analysis shows North America is currently the dominant and fastest growing regional market. Higher adoption of novel drug delivery technologies and presence of major players have made North America the leader. Europe follows in terms of revenue share on account of increasing popularity of orally dispersible tablets among pediatric populations.

Key players operating in the Orodispersible Tablets market are Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, IntelGenx, Pfizer, LTS Lohmann Therapie-Systeme, Johnson & Johnson, and Bausch Health. Major pharmaceutical companies are launching new products and focusing on licensing and collaboration agreements to gain higher market share. For instance, IntelGenx recently partnered with LTS Lohmann Therapie-Systeme to commercialize its VersaFilm technologies for cannabis-based products.