Omega 3 Prescription Drugs Market – Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented By Drug type (Vascepa, Lovaza, Others), By Application (Hypertriglyceridemia, Others), By Distribution Channel (Hospital Pharmacy, Retail Pharmacy, Online Pharmacy), By Region and Competition, 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 2.21 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	8.92%
Fastest Growing Segment	Hypertriglyceridemia Segment
Largest Market	North America
Market Size (2031)	USD 3.69 Billion

Market Overview

The Global Omega 3 Prescription Drugs Market will grow from USD 2.21 Billion in 2025 to USD 3.69 Billion by 2031 at a 8.92% CAGR. Omega-3 prescription drugs are pharmaceutical-grade formulations containing purified ethyl esters or carboxylic acids derived from eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid, indicated primarily for the treatment of severe hypertriglyceridemia. The market is chiefly driven by the rising global incidence of cardiovascular diseases and the increasing adoption of preventative lipid management therapies by healthcare providers. Additionally, demographic shifts such as an aging population and higher obesity rates necessitate robust therapeutic options, further underpinning the demand for these regulated medical interventions.

However, market expansion is significantly hindered by supply chain complexities and the elevated production costs associated with refining raw fish oils to meet stringent pharmaceutical purity standards. These quality requirements often lead to inventory shortages and price volatility which impact global availability. According to the Global Organization for EPA and DHA Omega-3s, in 2024, the total global volume of omega-3 ingredients reached 131,183 metric tons, representing a 2.5% increase over the prior year, while the total market value rose by 10.2% to approximately $2.4 billion.

Key Market Drivers

The escalating global prevalence of cardiovascular diseases and the rising incidence of obesity are the fundamental drivers propelling the Global Omega 3 Prescription Drugs Market. Elevated triglyceride levels, intrinsically linked to excess body weight, necessitate robust pharmaceutical interventions to mitigate risks such as pancreatitis and myocardial infarction. This demand is intensified by profound demographic shifts; according to the World Obesity Federation, March 2024, in the 'World Obesity Atlas 2024', the number of adults living with obesity globally is projected to reach 1.53 billion by 2035. The sheer mortality burden associated with these conditions further underscores the urgency for effective lipid management strategies. According to the American Heart Association, January 2024, in the '2024 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics Update', cardiovascular disease accounted for 931,578 deaths in the United States in 2021, reinforcing the critical need for regulated therapeutic options to combat this health crisis.

Additionally, the market is expanding due to an increasing shift from supplements to prescription-grade therapies, supported by favorable regulatory approvals. Healthcare providers are increasingly favoring high-purity, government-approved formulations over over-the-counter options due to their superior bioavailability and proven clinical outcomes in lowering triglyceride levels. This trend toward medicalized adoption is visibly impacting commercial performance in regulated sectors. According to Amarin Corporation, October 2024, in the 'Third Quarter 2024 Financial Results', VAZKEPA sales in Europe grew by 19% sequentially, illustrating the accelerated uptake of prescription-grade omega-3 treatments across major international healthcare systems.

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Key Market Challenges

Supply chain complexities and elevated production costs significantly impede the expansion of the Global Omega 3 Prescription Drugs Market. Unlike synthetic pharmaceuticals, these drugs depend heavily on marine-based raw materials, specifically crude fish oil, which requires extensive and costly refinement to achieve the necessary pharmaceutical-grade purity. This reliance on natural resources exposes manufacturers to severe volatility in availability and pricing, driven by unpredictable environmental factors and strictly regulated fishing quotas. Consequently, companies face difficulties in maintaining consistent inventory levels, leading to production bottlenecks that delay product availability and discourage healthcare providers from relying on these therapies for long-term patient management.

The impact of this instability is highlighted by recent industry fluctuations which demonstrate the fragility of the raw material base. According to IFFO, in 2024, cumulative global fish oil production was estimated to represent a 12% year-on-year increase, a statistic that underscores the market's extreme sensitivity to climatic events following a previous period of severe deficit. Such sharp oscillations in raw material supply force manufacturers to incur higher operational costs for hedging and storage to ensure continuity. These financial burdens are ultimately passed down the value chain, keeping drug prices elevated and limiting market penetration within cost-sensitive healthcare systems.

Key Market Trends

The proliferation of generic icosapent ethyl products is fundamentally reshaping the competitive landscape, particularly in the United States where exclusivity losses have triggered aggressive price erosion. This influx of lower-cost alternatives has dismantled the monopoly previously held by branded formulations, forcing incumbent manufacturers to contract their commercial footprints while simultaneously broadening patient access through reduced costs. The severe financial impact of this commoditization is evident in the leading brand's recent performance. According to Amarin Corporation, October 2024, in the 'Third Quarter 2024 Financial Results', U.S. net product revenue for its flagship prescription drug declined to $30.6 million from $62.4 million in the prior year period, directly attributable to the intensifying market penetration of generic competitors.

Simultaneously, a strategic commercial expansion in Asia-Pacific markets is accelerating as companies pivot toward high-growth territories to offset saturation in Western regions. This trend is characterized by securing regulatory milestones in nations with large, untreated patient populations prone to cardiovascular risks, moving beyond the traditional focus on North American and European sectors. China has emerged as a critical frontier for this growth, offering a massive new user base for prescription-grade lipid therapies. According to Amarin Corporation, July 2024, in the 'Amarin Partner EddingPharm Receives Regulatory Approval for VASCEPA in Mainland China' announcement, there are an estimated 330 million patients with cardiovascular disease in the country, underscoring the region's critical role in driving future revenue streams for the industry.

Segmental Insights

The hypertriglyceridemia segment represents the fastest-growing category within the global omega-3 prescription drugs market. This expansion is primarily driven by the rising global incidence of severe lipid disorders linked to sedentary lifestyles and poor dietary habits. Market growth is further accelerated by approvals from regulatory bodies like the US Food and Drug Administration, which authorize these therapies for patients with very high triglyceride levels to reduce associated health risks. Consequently, healthcare providers are increasingly adopting these prescription treatments as a standard intervention for effective lipid management and cardiovascular protection.

Regional Insights

North America currently holds the leading position in the Global Omega 3 Prescription Drugs Market, largely due to the widespread prevalence of hypertriglyceridemia and related cardiovascular conditions within the population. This market dominance is significantly bolstered by favorable regulatory actions from the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which has granted approvals for multiple prescription-grade Omega 3 therapies to manage high triglyceride levels. Furthermore, the presence of major pharmaceutical companies and widespread access to comprehensive healthcare reimbursement plans in the United States and Canada drives the continuous adoption of these treatments.

Recent Developments

• In June 2025, Amarin Corporation entered into an exclusive license and supply agreement with Recordati S.p.A. to commercialize its prescription omega-3 therapy, VAZKEPA, throughout the European region. The comprehensive partnership covers commercial rights in nearly 60 countries, transferring the responsibility for marketing, sales, and market access activities to the partner while the company retains its role in manufacturing and product supply. This strategic restructuring allows the company to streamline its global operations and significantly reduce operating expenses, while securing upfront capital and potential future milestone payments contingent upon the commercial success of the drug in the European market.
• In December 2024, Mochida Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. entered into a sales partnership agreement with Kuhnil Pharm. Co., Ltd. to introduce its high-purity eicosapentaenoic acid formulation, Epadel, to the South Korean market. Under the terms of this collaboration, the Japanese pharmaceutical company granted its partner exclusive rights to develop and market the prescription drug within South Korea. This alliance aims to leverage the local partner's established presence and expertise in the cardiovascular therapeutic area to successfully distribute the product, aligning with the company's broader strategy to expand its omega-3 pharmaceutical franchise into key international markets across Asia.
• In October 2024, the KD Pharma Group completed the acquisition of the Marine Lipids business from dsm-firmenich, establishing itself as a leading manufacturer in the global omega-3 market. This strategic transaction included the transfer of major production facilities in Peru and Canada, along with the well-known MEG-3 brand of fish oil ingredients for the pharmaceutical and dietary supplement sectors. The integration of these assets was designed to create a vertically integrated supply chain, spanning from refined oils to pharmaceutical-grade active ingredients and softgel manufacturing, thereby enhancing the company's capacity to deliver customized lipid solutions to its global customer base.
• In May 2024, Amarin Corporation announced that its strategic partner in China, EddingPharm, received regulatory approval from the National Medical Products Administration for its lead prescription omega-3 product. The approval authorizes the use of the drug for cardiovascular risk reduction in adult patients with elevated triglyceride levels who also have established cardiovascular disease or diabetes with additional risk factors. This regulatory achievement triggered a milestone payment to the company and enabled the partner to commence commercial launch activities and navigate market access negotiations. This development marked a significant expansion of the branded prescription therapy into the large Chinese cardiovascular market.

Key Market Players

• Abbott Laboratories Inc
• Amarin Pharmaceuticals Ireland Ltd.
• GlaxoSmithKline plc
• Natrapharm, Inc.
• Viatris, Inc.
• Grupo Ferrer Internacional, S.A.
• Camber Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
• Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd.
• Zydus Group
• Hikma Pharmaceuticals PLC

By Drug type	By Application	By Distribution Channel	By Region
Vascepa Lovaza Others	Hypertriglyceridemia Others	Hospital Pharmacy Retail Pharmacy Online Pharmacy	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

In this report, the Global Omega 3 Prescription Drugs Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• Omega 3 Prescription Drugs Market, By Drug type:

• Vascepa
• Lovaza
• Others

• Omega 3 Prescription Drugs Market, By Application:

• Hypertriglyceridemia
• Others

• Omega 3 Prescription Drugs Market, By Distribution Channel:

• Hospital Pharmacy
• Retail Pharmacy
• Online Pharmacy

• Omega 3 Prescription Drugs Market, By Region:

• North America
• United States
• Canada
• Mexico
• Europe
• France
• United Kingdom
• Italy
• Germany
• Spain
• Asia Pacific
• China
• India
• Japan
• Australia
• South Korea
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Colombia
• Middle East & Africa
• South Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE