Download Sample
Schedule a Meeting
NA : +1 804 441 9344
sales@towardshealthcare.com
October 2025
The oral diabetes medicine market is rapidly advancing on a scale, with expectations of accumulating hundreds of millions in revenue between 2025 and 2034. Market forecasts suggest robust development fueled by increased investments, innovation, and rising demand across various industries.
People with type 2 diabetes need to manage their blood glucose levels more effectively with the help of diet planning, exercise, and oral or injectable medications, while people with type 1 diabetes need to rely on insulin. The most common type 2 diabetes oral or injectable medications driving the expansion of the oral diabetes medicine market include Metformin, Dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP-4) inhibitors, Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1), dual glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), GLP-1 receptor agonists, Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors, Sulfonylureas, and Thiazolidinediones (TZDs). Sales in the diabetes care segment of Novo Nordisk increased by 26% in 2024, led by 56% growth in Wegovy/Saxenda.
The rapid shift towards oral formulations, digital health integration, and the massive growth of the generic drug market support the expansion of oral medications. The oral diabetes medicine market covers the development, manufacture, distribution, and clinical use of orally administered pharmacotherapies for glycemic control and metabolic risk management primarily for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and related conditions (prediabetes, cardiometabolic comorbidity). It includes single-agent oral drugs (e.g., metformin, sulfonylureas, DPP-4 inhibitors, SGLT2 inhibitors, oral GLP-1 formulations), fixed-dose oral combinations, generic oral antidiabetics, prescribing support (digital adherence tools), and associated services such as formulation development, regulatory/market-access support, and pharmacist-led chronic-care management.
Growth is driven by the rising prevalence of T2DM globally, better guideline adoption of cardiorenal-protective oral agents (SGLT2, some oral GLP-1s), shifting treatment algorithms toward combinations and cardio-renal outcomes, increasing generic penetration in emerging markets, and patient preference for oral over injectable therapies.
AI-driven precision medicine enables physicians to customize therapies for each patient. AI tools help in the analysis of large datasets to predict disease risks and provide medical interventions. AI is expanding the market, which helps patients in their diabetes management, particularly for people with unique genetic and lifestyle factors. AI algorithms result in reduced healthcare costs and enhanced clinical results.
The biguanides segment dominated the market in 2024, with a revenue share of approximately 40%, owing to its key benefits such as low risk of hypoglycemia, weight management, and cardiovascular benefits. The innovations in newer agents result in cardiorenal protection and tailored therapies. Research investigations suggested the other potential advantages of metformin or biguanide, including anti-cancer effects, neuroprotective effects, and anti-aging effects.
The oral GLP-1 receptor agonists segment is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR in the oral diabetes medicine market during the forecast period due to the critical function of a non-injectable alternative with weight loss, strong glycemic control, and cardiovascular benefits. The next generation of oral GLP-1 receptor agonists and combination therapies is reshaping diabetes management. The demand for early oral formulations drives investments by pharmaceutical companies in the R&D of next-generation GLP-1 due to enhanced efficacy and fewer side effects.
The type 2 diabetes mellitus segment dominated the market in 2024, with a revenue share of approximately 88%, owing to the strategic use of newer drug classes, first-line therapies, and combination therapies. The personalized treatments and oral diabetes medications provide cardioprotective effects, address weight management, monitor, and minimize adverse effects. The modern oral medicines effectively control type 2 diabetes mellitus by controlling blood sugar levels with a low risk of hypoglycemia.
In 2024, 589 million adults globally have diabetes, with over 90% having type 2 diabetes, and the number is projected to rise to 853 million by 2050. Diabetes caused 3.4 million deaths in 2024, and global health expenditure for it reached at least $1 trillion.
The prediabetes/prevention segment is estimated to grow at the fastest rate in the oral diabetes medicine market during the predicted timeframe due to the increasing use of oral diabetes medicines like metformin to improve insulin sensitivity, decrease liver glucose production, and reduce significant risks. Many oral medicines are studied in clinical trials to manage diabetes effectively. Clinical trials on oral diabetes management suggested that the medications can reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus.
The standard oral tablets segment dominated the market in 2024, with a revenue share of approximately 62%, owing to the great impact of modern medicines on cost, access, and patient treatment. The combination tablets like GLP-1 receptor agonist and an SGLT2 inhibitor offer synergistic benefits for blood pressure, blood glucose, weight, and cardiovascular and renal outcomes. The specific oral tablets, like metformin, provide efficacy and safety in diabetes management by increasing muscle sensitivity to insulin and decreasing the liver’s glucose production.
The fixed-dose combination tablets segment is anticipated to grow at a notable rate in the oral diabetes medicine market during the upcoming period due to their high preference driven by reduced pill burden, improved compliance, and patient adherence through convenience. The modern tablets enhance glycemic control and target multiple pathways by leveraging synergistic drug actions. They reduce cardiovascular risk and provide cardiorenal protection beyond glycemic control.
The retail pharmacies segment dominated the market in 2024, with a revenue share of approximately 50%, owing to their critical role in dispensing, medication management, patient education, patient support, collaboration, and monitoring. They provide devices, integrate technologies, and facilitate screening and prevention. They enable collaborative practice, provide care coordination, and ensure vaccinations.
The online pharmacies/e-commerce/mail-order segment is predicted to grow at a rapid rate in the oral diabetes medicine market during the studied period due to increased convenience and access to oral medications by online distribution channels. The online pharmacies offer lower prices for some medications, while many insurance plans offer financial incentives like lower co-payments. The enhanced patient support is facilitated through telepharmacy.
North America dominated the market share by 35% in 2024, owing to the advancements in oral drug therapies, robust healthcare infrastructure, and favorable reimbursement policies. The American Diabetes Association released standards of care for diabetes. These new updates will empower patients with the right choice of diabetes medications that promote heart health. The healthcare professionals can treat adults who deal with type 2 diabetes or prediabetes and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). They are enabled to use antibody-based testing to assess the risk of type 1 diabetes, and can advise patients with evidence-based healthy eating patterns.
The U.S. is expanding in the oral diabetes medications market due to federal health initiatives and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). The government policy changes and manufacturer actions greatly impacted the cost of diabetes medications. These initiatives will benefit patients dealing with diabetes and high medication costs.
In the U.S. in 2024, approximately 38.4 million people have diabetes, based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reporting 2021 data in its 2024 National Diabetes Statistics Report. Projections indicate that the total number of diabetes cases is expected to reach 54.9 million by 2030. Looking ahead, the number of diabetes cases is projected to rise significantly, reaching over 54.9 million by 2030 and potentially up to 60.6 million adults with diagnosed diabetes by 2060. The annual cost related to diabetes is also projected to increase, exceeding $622 billion (in 2015 dollars) by 2030.
Asia Pacific is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR in the market during the forecast period due to improved healthcare access, advances in oral diabetes medications, the rise of generics, and the rise in health-related expenditure. The World Health Organization (WHO) updated a list of essential medicines to include major treatments of cancer and diabetes. Several public health programs and government initiatives focus on diabetes care and management, which also try to increase access to oral medications. Many programs are implemented in collaboration with international health organizations.
The Government of India launched many proactive measures to manage diabetes under the National Health Mission. It provides technical and financial assistance to states to prevent and manage diabetes and other non-communicable diseases. The establishment of community health centers and clinics across India ensures local-level care and accessible services.
In 2024, India had approximately 89.8 million adults with diabetes, with projections showing this number rising to over 156 million by 2050. The prevalence in 2024 is about 10.5%, making it a major public health challenge, with significant government initiatives underway to improve screening, awareness, and lifestyle promotion programs to address the issue.
Europe is expected to grow at a notable rate in the market in 2024, led by expanded healthcare access, next-generation drugs, and combination therapies. The European Medicines Agency (EMA) is dedicated to healthcare and committed to patients, consumers, and healthcare professionals. Europe remains the hub for many leading diabetes technology companies and innovations in diabetes care. The European organizations maintain Europe’s health security and innovate for patients. Europe has seen significant advancements in its diabetes treatment and management.
The major developments, such as the Medical Research Act, National Pharmaceutical Strategy, and the expansion of digital health applications, greatly impacted diabetes treatment in Germany. The significant investments in manufacturing drive the growth of oral medications in the diabetes treatment market. Pharmaceutical legislation and digital health initiatives launched by the German government also impact diabetes care and access to new treatments.
In 2024, approximately 5.0 million adults (20-79 years) in Germany had diabetes, a figure projected to reach 6.1 million by 2050, reports the International Diabetes Federation (IDF). A more recent report indicates that in 2024, the prevalence of physician-diagnosed diabetes among adults was 10.3%, up from 5.8% in 2003, though the rate of increase has slowed.
The R&D process for oral diabetes medicines involves five stages of drug development, such as discovery and development, preclinical research, clinical research, regulatory review, and post-market safety monitoring.
Key Players: Novo Nordisk, Eli Lilly, Boehringer Ingelheim, AstraZeneca, Merck & Co., vTv Therapeutics.
The distribution supply chain includes manufacturers, wholesalers, hospitals, and pharmacies. It focuses on the adoption of automated dispensing systems, electronic health records, and bar code scanning for the distribution of oral diabetes medications to enhance safety and efficiency.
Key Players: Novo Nordisk, Eli Lilly and Company, AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, Merck & Co., Inc., Sanofi, Johnson & Johnson, Novartis AG, Pfizer Inc.
These services include integrated care, tailored interventions, financial and insurance support, etc., which improve patient adherence to medications and provide disease management education.
Key Players: Novo Nordisk, Eli Lilly, Johnson & Johnson.
By Drug Class/Mechanism of Action
By Therapeutic Use/Indication
By Formulation/Product Format
By Distribution Channel
By Region
October 2025
October 2025
October 2025
October 2025