The global market for buccal drug delivery systems is projected to maintain strong growth through the end of the decade as pharmaceutical developers pursue alternatives to conventional oral and injectable administration. Increasing interest in faster drug absorption, non-invasive treatment options, and formulations designed to improve patient convenience is creating new opportunities for drug delivery technology developers and manufacturers.
The market is expected to increase from $3.89 billion in 2025 to $4.32 billion in 2026, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.2%. Growth over the historical period has been supported by demand for alternative administration routes, treatments for chronic pain and angina, advances in mucoadhesive formulations, and the need for medications with faster onset of action.
The market is forecast to reach $6.48 billion by 2030, with a projected CAGR of 10.7% between 2026 and 2030. Continued investment in transmucosal drug delivery research, demand for smoking cessation therapies, and development of personalized delivery technologies are among the factors expected to contribute to expansion.
Buccal drug delivery involves administering medication through the lining of the cheek, allowing drug compounds to be absorbed through the oral mucosa. This approach offers an alternative to conventional oral dosage forms and can be useful for therapies where rapid absorption or improved patient convenience is a priority. Market growth is also being supported by advances in mucoadhesive technologies, which help formulations remain in contact with the oral mucosa for longer periods.
Source: drug-dev.com · Image: Naitō Museum of Pharmaceutical Science and Industry 20210529 38 by 先従隗始, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
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