As people live longer and advance in age, the incidence of
several types of chronic and acute pain will increase significantly, driving
growth in transdermal pain drug products at 9.8% CAGR over the next five years,
reaching $9.2 billion by 2015, according to the latest estimates from Greystone
Research Associates.

“Evolution in pain management guidelines and a better
appreciation for pain-associated morbidity by clinicians are placing a higher
level of emphasis on pain management as a quality-of-life issue for patients and
their caregivers,” explains George Perros, Greystone Research Managing
Director. “These factors are elevating interest in therapeutic options
that can address this growing clinical need.

Because they possess several features that improve patient
safety and compliance, pain drugs formulated for transdermal delivery are well-positioned
to capitalize on this opportunity.” Drug therapy compliance is a key
healthcare issue, one that is particularly problematic in aging populations and
developing economies. Less frequent dosing has been a drug development goal for
some time because it correlates well with better outcomes. Several new generation
pain patch products are attempting to underscore this advantage by extending
dose intervals even further, in some cases to once-weekly dosing.

Outside
of North America, attitudes and cultural
factors toward pain treatment vary geographically and play a significant role
in the prescribing and use of pain drugs. Some participants are addressing this
variable by employing complex branding strategies. A number of marketed
products and several development programs involve international partnerships
designed to take advantage of perceived opportunities in regional markets