The increasing demand for innovative drugs, rising awareness of skin diseases, and also growing investment in research and development for developing new drugs are some of the essential factors pushing the growth of the global dermatology drugs market. The most common skin conditions are eczema, acne, psoriasis, and skin cancer. The majority of these diseases are growing due to environmental factors and changing lifestyles. The treatment of skin diseases needs different topical and systemic agents.

The most commonly utilized topical agents are antifungals, corticosteroids, retinoids, and antihistamines. The preference for treatment depends on the severity and type of the disease. The rise in the incidence of skin diseases is the main factor propelling the growth of the dermatology drugs market.

The growing awareness about the significance of skin health and the availability of effective treatments are also boosting the growth of this market. In addition to this, according to the research report of Astute Analytica, the global dermatology drugs market is growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.0% during the forecast period from 2023 to 2031.

The trends in the topical delivery of dermatology drugs are: –

Rising interest in semisolid dosage forms

Topical dermatology drugs can be developed into solid, liquid, and semisolid dosage forms. Semisolids are the most standard topical formulations. A wide range of dosage states belong to this category, including emulsions, creams, pastes, ointments, and gels. Their capacity to stick to the application surface for a reasonable time allows them to gain extended-release to a targeted area in a collected manner.

Semisolid formulations are mainly intended for surface action on the skin. They may also be utilized to transdermally deliver drugs into the systemic circulation, avoiding gastrointestinal degradation and first-pass hepatic metabolism.

Topical formulations

An easy scheme for a topical formulation is an active pharmaceutical ingredient liquefied or dispersed into a carrier base with preferred excipients to reach the desired functionality and stability. Also, creating a suitable topical formulation is a complicated procedure. Many factors must be taken into consideration, going from the intended usage and the site of action to the properties of active ingredients and the preference of excipients. Semisolid drugs are usually produced from four major formulation bases: anhydrous or absorption bases, oleaginous or hydrocarbon bases (ointments), emulsion bases (including water-in-oil or oil-in-water bases), and water-soluble bases (gels).

Packaging and dispensing

An appropriate dispensing and packaging system is a crucial component of a finished topical dosage formation. The prior role of a packaging system is to save the product from environmental influences (oxygen, moisture, sunlight, evaporation) and preserve the integrity of the formulation for up to 3 years during shelf storage or a few weeks after first use. Keeping smooth, easy, and homogenous dispensing is another essential factor of the packaging. A well-designed dispensing plan should also match up with the capability, lifestyle, and cosmetic concerns of the patient.

Jars, tubes, and bottles are the most common containers utilized for topical drugs. Tubes often act as the first preference for most semisolid products because of their clarity and low cost, but they offer only fixed barrier protection. Novel drug formulations usually need better barrier protection and the usage of developed dispensing systems to minimize product degradation, oxidation, microbial contamination, drying, and clogging.