Based on current pharmaceutical industry benchmarks and the rising demand for anti-inflammatory and hormonal replacement therapies, the global cortisone market is entering a phase of steady, sustained growth.
Western Market Research predicts that the Global Cortisone Market was valued at USD 4.25 Billion in 2025 and is expected to reach USD 7.62 Billion by the year 2036, growing at a CAGR of 5.4% globally during the forecast period.
Global Cortisone Market Overview
The 2026-2036 forecast period highlights a market driven by the increasing prevalence of autoimmune diseases, orthopedic conditions, and acute allergic reactions. Cortisone, a corticosteroid that mimics the effects of cortisol, remains a foundational treatment due to its cost-effectiveness and broad therapeutic window. The industry is currently witnessing a transition toward specialized delivery systems, such as extended-release local injections and targeted topical formulations, to minimize the systemic side effects historically associated with steroid use.
Impact of COVID-19 on Cortisone Market
The pandemic underscored the critical role of corticosteroids in managing systemic inflammation. While dexamethasone received the most clinical attention for severe respiratory distress, the broader cortisone market benefited from increased healthcare awareness regarding inflammatory control. Although supply chains for raw materials (APIs) faced temporary bottlenecks in 2020, the market has since prioritized manufacturing diversification and stockpile stability.
Market Segmentation
By Product Type:
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Oral Drugs: Tablets and capsules (Widely used for chronic management).
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Injectable Drugs: Intramuscular and Intra-articular (High demand for sports medicine and orthopedics).
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Topical Formulations: (New) Creams, gels, and ointments for dermatological applications.
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Inhaled/Nasal: (New) For respiratory and allergic rhinitis management.
By Indication (New Segment):
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Arthritis & Orthopedics: Rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and bursitis.
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Dermatological Disorders: Eczema, psoriasis, and severe dermatitis.
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Endocrine Disorders: Adrenal insufficiency (Addison's Disease).
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Allergic Conditions: Severe seasonal allergies and drug reactions.
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Gastrointestinal Diseases: Ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.
By Distribution Channel:
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Hospital Pharmacies
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Retail Pharmacies
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Online Pharmacies (The fastest-growing segment due to tele-health adoption).
Key Market Players
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Established Leaders: Merck & Co., Novartis AG, Pfizer Inc., AstraZeneca, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS).
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Key Generic & Specialty Players (New): Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, Sanofi, Viatris (Mylan), Hikma Pharmaceuticals, Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, Amneal Pharmaceuticals, Lupin Limited, and Bausch Health.
Regional Analysis
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North America: Holds the largest market share due to high diagnostic rates for autoimmune disorders and advanced reimbursement frameworks.
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Europe: A mature market focused on regulatory safety and the integration of generic cortisone versions in public health systems.
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Asia-Pacific: The fastest-growing region, driven by aging populations in Japan and China, coupled with expanding healthcare access in India and Southeast Asia.
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South America: Growing demand for affordable essential medicines in Brazil and Argentina.
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Middle East & Africa: Focus on managing endocrine disorders and improving pharmaceutical supply chains in urban hubs.
Strategic Analysis
Porter’s Five Forces
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Bargaining Power of Buyers (High): Government health bodies and insurance providers exert pressure to keep cortisone prices low, as it is considered an "essential medicine."
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Bargaining Power of Suppliers (Low): API (Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient) suppliers are numerous, making it easy for drug manufacturers to switch sources.
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Threat of New Entrants (Medium): While the molecules are off-patent, the barrier lies in achieving large-scale manufacturing efficiency and regulatory compliance.
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Threat of Substitutes (Medium-High): Biologics and JAK inhibitors are replacing steroids for long-term chronic care to avoid side effects.
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Competitive Rivalry (High): Intense competition between generic manufacturers leads to thin margins, forcing a focus on volume and delivery innovation.
SWOT Analysis
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Strengths: Low cost, rapid onset of action, and deep-rooted clinical trust.
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Weaknesses: Risk of long-term side effects (osteoporosis, weight gain, hypertension).
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Opportunities: Development of "Smart-delivery" systems like hydrogel-based injections for localized release.
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Threats: Increasing preference for "steroid-free" treatment protocols in dermatology and respiratory care.
Trend Analysis
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Local over Systemic: A shift toward local injections (intra-articular) to treat joint pain without affecting the whole body.
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Telemedicine Growth: Online consultations are driving high volumes of repeat prescriptions through digital pharmacies.
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Combination Therapies: Packaging cortisone with anesthetics or anti-infectives for multi-action treatment.
Drivers & Challenges
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Driver: The rising geriatric population prone to inflammatory joint diseases.
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Driver: Increased incidence of skin allergies due to environmental and lifestyle changes.
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Challenge: Strict regulatory guidelines regarding the duration of steroid use.
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Challenge: Patient "steroid-phobia" leading to reduced compliance in topical and inhaled segments.
Value Chain Analysis
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Raw Material Sourcing: Acquisition of chemical precursors for steroid synthesis.
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Manufacturing: Conversion into various dosage forms (Oral/Injectable) under sterile conditions.
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Quality Control: Stringent bio-equivalence testing, especially for generic versions.
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Distribution: Multi-channel distribution via wholesalers to hospitals and retail outlets.
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Patient Consumption: Physician-led prescription and pharmacist dispensing.
Quick Recommendations for Stakeholders
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For Manufacturers: Invest in Proprietary Delivery Technologies (e.g., microspheres or transdermal patches) to differentiate from low-margin generic tablets.
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For Retailers: Enhance Online Pharmacy Platforms with automated refill reminders, as cortisone is often a long-term treatment for chronic conditions.
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For Healthcare Providers: Focus on Patient Education to mitigate fears regarding steroid use while emphasizing the importance of tapering doses.
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For Investors: Monitor companies focusing on Biosimilar-Steroid combinations, which represent a growing niche in specialty clinics.
1. Market Overview of Cortisone
1.1 Cortisone Market Overview
1.1.1 Cortisone Product Scope
1.1.2 Market Status and Outlook
1.2 Cortisone Market Size by Regions: 2015 VS 2021 VS 2026
1.3 Cortisone Historic Market Size by Regions
1.4 Cortisone Forecasted Market Size by Regions
1.5 Covid-19 Impact on Key Regions, Keyword Market Size YoY Growth
1.5.1 North America
1.5.2 East Asia
1.5.3 Europe
1.5.4 South Asia
1.5.5 Southeast Asia
1.5.6 Middle East
1.5.7 Africa
1.5.8 Oceania
1.5.9 South America
1.5.10 Rest of the World
1.6 Coronavirus Disease 2019 (Covid-19) Impact Will Have a Severe Impact on Global Growth
1.6.1 Covid-19 Impact: Global GDP Growth, 2019, 2020 and 2021 Projections
1.6.2 Covid-19 Impact: Commodity Prices Indices
1.6.3 Covid-19 Impact: Global Major Government Policy
2. Covid-19 Impact Cortisone Sales Market by Type
2.1 Global Cortisone Historic Market Size by Type
2.2 Global Cortisone Forecasted Market Size by Type
2.3 Oral Drugs
2.4 Injectable Drugs
3. Covid-19 Impact Cortisone Sales Market by Application
3.1 Global Cortisone Historic Market Size by Application
3.2 Global Cortisone Forecasted Market Size by Application
3.3 Hospital Pharmacies
3.4 Retail Pharmacies
3.5 Online Pharmacies
4. Covid-19 Impact Market Competition by Manufacturers
4.1 Global Cortisone Production Capacity Market Share by Manufacturers
4.2 Global Cortisone Revenue Market Share by Manufacturers
4.3 Global Cortisone Average Price by Manufacturers
5. Company Profiles and Key Figures in Cortisone Business
5.1 Merck
5.1.1 Merck Company Profile
5.1.2 Merck Cortisone Product Specification
5.1.3 Merck Cortisone Production Capacity, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin
5.2 Novartis
5.2.1 Novartis Company Profile
5.2.2 Novartis Cortisone Product Specification
5.2.3 Novartis Cortisone Production Capacity, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin
5.3 Pfizer
5.3.1 Pfizer Company Profile
5.3.2 Pfizer Cortisone Product Specification
5.3.3 Pfizer Cortisone Production Capacity, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin
5.4 AstraZeneca
5.4.1 AstraZeneca Company Profile
5.4.2 AstraZeneca Cortisone Product Specification
5.4.3 AstraZeneca Cortisone Production Capacity, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin
5.5 GlaxoSmithKline
5.5.1 GlaxoSmithKline Company Profile
5.5.2 GlaxoSmithKline Cortisone Product Specification
5.5.3 GlaxoSmithKline Cortisone Production Capacity, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin
5.6 Bristol-Myers Squibb
5.6.1 Bristol-Myers Squibb Company Profile
5.6.2 Bristol-Myers Squibb Cortisone Product Specification
5.6.3 Bristol-Myers Squibb Cortisone Production Capacity, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin
6. North America
6.1 North America Cortisone Market Size
6.2 North America Cortisone Key Players in North America
6.3 North America Cortisone Market Size by Type
6.4 North America Cortisone Market Size by Application
7. East Asia
7.1 East Asia Cortisone Market Size
7.2 East Asia Cortisone Key Players in North America
7.3 East Asia Cortisone Market Size by Type
7.4 East Asia Cortisone Market Size by Application
8. Europe
8.1 Europe Cortisone Market Size
8.2 Europe Cortisone Key Players in North America
8.3 Europe Cortisone Market Size by Type
8.4 Europe Cortisone Market Size by Application
9. South Asia
9.1 South Asia Cortisone Market Size
9.2 South Asia Cortisone Key Players in North America
9.3 South Asia Cortisone Market Size by Type
9.4 South Asia Cortisone Market Size by Application
10. Southeast Asia
10.1 Southeast Asia Cortisone Market Size
10.2 Southeast Asia Cortisone Key Players in North America
10.3 Southeast Asia Cortisone Market Size by Type
10.4 Southeast Asia Cortisone Market Size by Application
11. Middle East
11.1 Middle East Cortisone Market Size
11.2 Middle East Cortisone Key Players in North America
11.3 Middle East Cortisone Market Size by Type
11.4 Middle East Cortisone Market Size by Application
12. Africa
12.1 Africa Cortisone Market Size
12.2 Africa Cortisone Key Players in North America
12.3 Africa Cortisone Market Size by Type
12.4 Africa Cortisone Market Size by Application
13. Oceania
13.1 Oceania Cortisone Market Size
13.2 Oceania Cortisone Key Players in North America
13.3 Oceania Cortisone Market Size by Type
13.4 Oceania Cortisone Market Size by Application
14. South America
14.1 South America Cortisone Market Size
14.2 South America Cortisone Key Players in North America
14.3 South America Cortisone Market Size by Type
14.4 South America Cortisone Market Size by Application
15. Rest of the World
15.1 Rest of the World Cortisone Market Size
15.2 Rest of the World Cortisone Key Players in North America
15.3 Rest of the World Cortisone Market Size by Type
15.4 Rest of the World Cortisone Market Size by Application
16 Cortisone Market Dynamics
16.1 Covid-19 Impact Market Top Trends
16.2 Covid-19 Impact Market Drivers
16.3 Covid-19 Impact Market Challenges
16.4 Porter
Market Segmentation
By Product Type:
-
Oral Drugs: Tablets and capsules (Widely used for chronic management).
-
Injectable Drugs: Intramuscular and Intra-articular (High demand for sports medicine and orthopedics).
-
Topical Formulations: (New) Creams, gels, and ointments for dermatological applications.
-
Inhaled/Nasal: (New) For respiratory and allergic rhinitis management.
By Indication (New Segment):
-
Arthritis & Orthopedics: Rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and bursitis.
-
Dermatological Disorders: Eczema, psoriasis, and severe dermatitis.
-
Endocrine Disorders: Adrenal insufficiency (Addison's Disease).
-
Allergic Conditions: Severe seasonal allergies and drug reactions.
-
Gastrointestinal Diseases: Ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.
By Distribution Channel:
-
Hospital Pharmacies
-
Retail Pharmacies
-
Online Pharmacies (The fastest-growing segment due to tele-health adoption).
Key Market Players
-
Established Leaders: Merck & Co., Novartis AG, Pfizer Inc., AstraZeneca, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS).
-
Key Generic & Specialty Players (New): Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, Sanofi, Viatris (Mylan), Hikma Pharmaceuticals, Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, Amneal Pharmaceuticals, Lupin Limited, and Bausch Health.
