Antimalarial Drugs Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented By Drug Type (Quinine, Chloroquine, Proguanil, Amodiaquine, Mefloquine, Hydroxychloroquine, Pyrimethamine, Others), By Malaria Type (Plasmodium Falciparum, Plasmodium Malariae, Plasmodium Vivax, Plasmodium Ovale, Plasmodium Knowlesi), By Region and Competition, 2020-2030F

Market Overview

Global Antimalarial Drugs Market was valued at USD 554.20 Million in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 711.04 Million by 2030 with a CAGR of 4.44%. With millions of cases reported annually, particularly across sub-Saharan Africa and parts of Asia, the demand for antimalarial drugs remains strong. Artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) continue to dominate the market due to their proven efficacy and widespread use as the standard of care. The increasing investment in research and development has become a significant driver of market growth.

Pharmaceutical companies and public health agencies are focusing on developing next-generation therapies to combat emerging drug resistance. New formulations, including triple combination therapies, long-acting injectables, and improved pediatric treatments, are being evaluated to enhance efficacy, simplify dosing regimens, and improve patient adherence. However, the market also faces several challenges. The emergence of drug-resistant malaria strains poses a significant threat to current treatment protocols, prompting the need for continuous innovation.

Key Market Drivers

Growth in Healthcare Industry

Global annual sales in the healthcare industry are estimated to exceed USD 4 trillion. Among its most lucrative and expansive segments are pharmaceuticals and biotechnology, generating nearly USD 850 billion, followed by medical technology and diagnostics, which account for over USD 400 billion in revenue. The continuous growth of the global healthcare industry is significantly contributing to the expansion of the antimalarial drugs market. As public and private investments in healthcare infrastructure increase, particularly in malaria-endemic regions across Africa, Asia, and parts of Latin America, access to timely diagnosis and treatment has improved substantially. This enhanced accessibility is enabling healthcare providers to administer antimalarial drugs more effectively, thereby supporting consistent market demand.

India's public health expenditure currently stands at 1.9% of GDP, falling short of the 2.5% target set by the National Health Policy, 2017, for the year 2025. Households continue to shoulder a significant portion of healthcare expenses, with Out-of-Pocket Expenditure (OoPE) comprising approximately 47% of total medical costs and amounting to 2.3% of GDP. Rising healthcare expenditure by governments and international organizations has also facilitated large-scale procurement of antimalarial medications, including artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs), which remain the most effective standard of treatment. These investments are aimed not only at reducing the malaria burden but also at strengthening the supply chain and distribution networks that ensure these drugs reach remote and underserved populations.

Surge in Technological Advancements

The global antimalarial drugs market is witnessing a significant upsurge, largely driven by rapid technological advancements across the pharmaceutical and healthcare landscape. A single-dose cure would serve as an optimal solution for the large-scale eradication of malaria in a given region. At present, the most advanced antimalarial treatment under clinical evaluation is the novel arteether-mefloquine combination, known as artemisone, which has been specifically designed to delay the onset of resistance relative to current artemisinin-based therapies. Innovations in diagnostic tools, drug discovery platforms, and delivery systems are fundamentally transforming the way malaria is detected, treated, and managed, thereby accelerating market expansion on a global scale.

One of the most notable developments lies in the area of diagnostics. Technological improvements in rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) and molecular assays have enhanced the speed and accuracy of malaria detection, particularly in remote and underserved regions. This early detection capability enables prompt treatment, reducing transmission rates and improving patient outcomes. Furthermore, digital tools integrated into mobile health platforms are facilitating real-time disease surveillance and tracking, allowing healthcare professionals and policymakers to respond more effectively to outbreaks.

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Key Market Challenges

Inconsistency in Drug Supply

Inconsistency in drug supply remains a critical challenge in the global antimalarial drugs market, significantly hindering efforts to control and eliminate the disease. Despite substantial progress in treatment development and distribution strategies, many malaria-endemic regions continue to face irregular and unreliable access to essential antimalarial medications. This inconsistency poses serious risks to public health, particularly in low-income and remote areas where malaria transmission is highest and healthcare infrastructure is weakest.

The causes of supply inconsistency are multifaceted. Weak procurement systems, limited manufacturing capacity, and logistical challenges often result in delays or shortages of key medicines. Seasonal surges in malaria cases, driven by climatic patterns such as monsoons and rainy seasons, further strain supply chains that are not adequately equipped to handle fluctuating demand. In some regions, fragmented supply networks and poor inventory management lead to stockouts at critical points of care, disrupting treatment continuity and increasing the risk of complications or fatalities.

Key Market Trends

Increased Focus on Herbal and Plant-Based Therapies

The growing emphasis on herbal and plant-based therapies has emerged as a notable trend in the global antimalarial drugs market. Plants have been recognized as a valuable and resilient source for antimalarial drug discovery. Notably, plant-derived compounds such as cinchona alkaloids (including quinine and quinidine) and artemisinin continue to hold clinical significance in the treatment of severe malaria. This shift is driven by increasing consumer preference for natural and traditional remedies, particularly in regions where indigenous medicine plays a central role in healthcare practices.

With rising concerns over the side effects of synthetic drugs and the growing incidence of drug-resistant strains of malaria, both researchers and pharmaceutical companies are exploring alternative therapies derived from botanical sources. Historically, plant-based compounds have played a vital role in antimalarial treatment most notably artemisinin, which is extracted from the sweet wormwood plant and forms the basis of artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs). The success of such plant-derived compounds has prompted further exploration of other herbal ingredients with potential antimalarial properties, such as neem, quinine from cinchona bark, and extracts from various endemic plants in Africa and Asia.

Segmental Insights

Drug Type Insights

Based on Drug Type, Quinine have emerged as the fastest growing segment in the Global Antimalarial Drugs Market in 2024. This is due to its enduring effectiveness against severe and complicated malaria, particularly in regions with high levels of resistance to modern antimalarial therapies. As resistance to commonly used artemisinin-based treatments continues to spread in certain endemic areas, quinine remains a vital therapeutic option, especially in emergency care and hospital settings. One of the key factors contributing to the growth of the quinine segment is its well-established clinical profile. With decades of proven efficacy in treating Plasmodium falciparum, the most dangerous malaria parasite, quinine continues to be a trusted treatment, particularly when newer drugs fail or are not readily available.

Malaria Type Insights

Based on Malaria Type, Plasmodium Falciparum have emerged as the fastest growing segment in the Global Antimalarial Drugs Market during the forecast period. Among the five parasite species that cause malaria in humans, P. falciparum is the most lethal and is responsible for the majority of malaria-related deaths worldwide, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa and parts of Southeast Asia. Its aggressive nature and rapid progression necessitate prompt and effective treatment, thereby driving demand for advanced and targeted antimalarial therapies. Moreover, the growing resistance of P. falciparum to first-line treatments, including chloroquine and, more recently, artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs), has intensified global research efforts and accelerated the development and deployment of new drug formulations.

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Regional Insights

Based on Region, North America have emerged as the dominating region in the Global Antimalarial Drugs Market in 2024. This is due to a combination of advanced healthcare infrastructure, strong regulatory frameworks, and significant investment in research and development. The region benefits from a robust pharmaceutical industry that actively engages in the development and commercialization of both traditional and next-generation antimalarial therapies. Major pharmaceutical companies headquartered in the United States, such as Pfizer and Novartis, play a critical role in driving innovation and shaping the global supply chain for antimalarial drugs.

Recent Development

• In July 2024, GSK plc, in collaboration with Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV), announced the launch of the first single-dose therapy for the prevention of relapse of Plasmodium vivax (P. vivax) malaria tafenoquine, administered alongside chloroquine for radical cure in both Thailand and Brazil. This initiative supports ongoing efforts toward malaria elimination. P. vivax, the predominant malaria parasite in many regions outside sub-Saharan Africa, is known for its recurrent clinical relapses, as patients often experience repeated illness unless the dormant liver-stage infection is effectively treated. These relapses impose significant physical, economic, and social burdens on individuals and communities, reinforcing cycles of poverty.
• In April 2024, Novartis and Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV) reported encouraging results from their Phase II/III CALINA trial, which evaluated a new formulation of Coartem (artemether-lumefantrine) specifically designed for infants weighing less than 5kg affected by malaria. The study confirmed that the formulation achieved the desired pharmacokinetic profile while demonstrating strong efficacy and a favorable safety profile. Conducted across multiple African countries, the CALINA study is led by Novartis with scientific and financial backing from MMV and forms part of the PAMAfrica consortium, which is supported by the European & Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership.
• In July 2024, the Safety of Antimalarials in the First Trimester (SAFIRE) consortium announced the commencement of a Phase III clinical trial aimed at evaluating antimalarial medications during early pregnancy. The study will examine the safety, tolerability, and cost-effectiveness of these drugs in treating uncomplicated malaria among women in their first trimester. This initiative is backed by the Global Health EDCTP3 Joint Undertaking and the Swiss State Secretariat for Education, Research, and Innovation. At present, the World Health Organization endorses only one antimalarial therapy artemether-lumefantrine (AL) for use during the first trimester of pregnancy.
• In April 2025, the University of Coimbra (UC), the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz) through its Institute of Drug Technology (Farmanguinhos), and ICNAS Pharma established a strategic partnership to introduce an antimalarial drug to the Portuguese market. Formed under the framework of the 'Research in Science, Technology, and Technological Development' protocol, the collaboration is focused on supporting the validation of a malaria treatment developed by Farmanguinhos/Fiocruz in Portugal. Additionally, the initiative aims to enhance scientific cooperation between Portugal and Brazil, reinforcing long-standing bilateral relations while fostering new avenues for knowledge exchange and healthcare innovation.

Key Market Players

• Cipla Ltd
• GlaxoSmithKline Plc
• Ipca Laboratories Ltd.
• Merck & Co., Inc
• Novartis AG
• Zydus Cadila
• Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.
• Strides Pharma Science Limited
• Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd.
• Lincoln Pharmaceuticals Ltd.

Report Scope

In this report, the Global Antimalarial Drugs Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• Antimalarial Drugs Market, By Drug Type:

o   Quinine

o   Chloroquine

o   Proguanil

o   Amodiaquine

o   Mefloquine

o   Hydroxychloroquine

o   Pyrimethamine

o   Others

• Antimalarial Drugs Market, By Malaria Type:

o   Plasmodium Falciparum

o   Plasmodium Malariae

o   Plasmodium Vivax

o   Plasmodium Ovale

o   Plasmodium Knowlesi

• Antimalarial Drugs Market, By Region:

o   North America

§  United States

§  Canada

§  Mexico

o   Europe

§  France

§  United Kingdom

§  Italy

§  Germany

§  Spain

o   Asia Pacific

§  China

§  India

§  Japan

§  Australia

§  South Korea

o   South America

§  Brazil

§  Argentina

§  Colombia

o   Middle East & Africa

§  South Africa

§  Saudi Arabia

§  UAE

Competitive Landscape

Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies present in the Global Antimalarial Drugs Market.

Available Customizations:

Global Antimalarial Drugs Market report with the given market data, TechSci Research offers customizations according to a company's specific needs. The following customization options are available for the report:

Company Information

• Detailed analysis and profiling of additional market players (up to five).

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