Saudi Arabia Diabetes Drug Market Overview, 2030

The diabetes drug market in Saudi Arabia is undergoing a significant transformation driven by a growing patient base, rising healthcare expenditure, and advancements in digital health technologies. With an estimated 5.3 million adults living with diabetes in 2024 a number expected to reach 9.5 million by 2050. The total annual diabetes-related expenditures in the Saudi Arabia reached 7.3 billion in a year. Saudi Arabia is embracing innovation through digital health integration, including continuous glucose monitoring systems, smart insulin pens, and virtual healthcare platforms like the Seha Virtual Hospital. Groundbreaking technologies such as non-invasive glucose sensors and AI-powered diagnostic tools are being adopted to enhance early detection and management. The Council of Health Insurance’s Saudi Billing System has standardized codes and improved transparency, smoothing the path for premium therapies. Private-insurance uptake should widen by 2030, expanding access for urban professionals. The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) have also streamlined regulatory pathways to fast-track approvals for biosimilars and novel therapeutics, improving market access and affordability. Furthermore, the government's Vision 2030 strategy is reinforcing this transformation by investing heavily in healthcare infrastructure, encouraging public-private partnerships, and promoting healthier lifestyles through initiatives and taxation on sugary products. Local pharmaceutical manufacturing is being prioritized to reduce dependency on imports, with companies like SPIMACO and Jamjoom Pharma expanding production capabilities. Distribution channels are also evolving, with online pharmacies and e-prescriptions witnessing accelerated adoption, especially post-pandemic. Despite progress, challenges such as high costs of advanced therapies, rural access limitations, and the need for more preventive care programs persist.

According to the research report, ""Saudi Arabia Diabetes Drug Market Overview, 2030,"" published by Bonafide Research, the Saudi Arabia Diabetes Drug market is anticipated to add to more than USD 220 Million by 2025–30. Saudi Arabia antidiabetics market is showing strong momentum, attributed to considerable government investment in pharmaceutical infrastructure and education. Public health organizations, including the Saudi Diabetes & Endocrine Association, are actively engaged in awareness campaigns aimed at early diagnosis and treatment. The Saudi Arabia diabetes drugs market shows moderate concentration. Novo Nordisk and Sanofi lead in insulins and GLP-1s, reinforced by localization pacts with NUPCO. AstraZeneca’s cardiometabolic pipeline and weight-management ambitions add competitive tension. Notably, over 70% of adults in Saudi Arabia are overweight or obese, directly influencing the surge in Type 2 diabetes cases. In fact, the prevalence of Type 2 diabetes is outpacing global averages, creating a consistent demand for both insulin and oral antidiabetic medications. Additionally, the government’s healthcare transformation initiatives under Vision 2030 are fueling market expansion by investing in digital infrastructure, pharmaceutical localization, and insurance reforms. Furthermore, Saudi Arabia’s digital health transformation is a crucial growth enabler. The adoption of digital glucose monitoring devices, mobile health apps, and AI-powered virtual clinics is improving diagnosis and follow-up care, thus increasing patient adherence and driving up medication consumption. Additionally, the availability of combination therapies is gaining popularity for their convenience and efficacy in managing comorbid conditions, leading to increased demand among multi-drug regimens. The localization of drug manufacturing is being prioritized; key pharmaceutical companies are partnering with global brands to produce insulin and oral antidiabetics domestically, which reduce dependency on imports and stabilize pricing. Government-subsidized health insurance plans have also increased coverage for advanced therapies, expanding access across socioeconomic groups.

Saudi Arabia has witnessed rising usage of analog insulins like insulin glargine and insulin lispro due to their better glycemic control and reduced risk of hypoglycemia. Moreover, the government’s healthcare subsidies and availability through public hospitals enhance insulin accessibility. GLP-1 receptor agonists, such as liraglutide and semaglutide, are gaining momentum due to their dual benefit of blood sugar regulation and weight loss an important consideration in Saudi Arabia, where obesity is a major contributor to diabetes prevalence. The demand is growing in urban centers, especially among patients preferring once-weekly injectable options and those at high cardiovascular risk. DPP-4 inhibitors, including sitagliptin and linagliptin, are widely prescribed oral medications due to their favorable safety profile, minimal risk of hypoglycemia, and ease of administration. Their demand is robust among elderly diabetic patients, and they are commonly used in combination therapies. SGLT2 inhibitors, such as dapagliflozin and empagliflozin, have seen a sharp rise in adoption because of their added benefits in reducing cardiovascular events and kidney disease progression two major concerns in Saudi diabetics. Physicians are increasingly recommending these drugs in both standalone and dual therapy formats. The others category, which includes metformin, sulfonylureas, and various combination therapies, continues to be vital. Metformin remains the first-line therapy for newly diagnosed Type 2 diabetes patients and is often paired with newer agents for better efficacy. Sulfonylureas, though older, still find usage due to cost-effectiveness and familiarity, particularly in rural areas.

Type 1 diabetes, which is less common but requires lifelong insulin therapy, contributes a substantial portion of the market demand for analog insulins. Patients with this condition rely on daily injections of long-acting and rapid-acting insulins, with basal insulins like Lantus and Tresiba being widely used. The use of insulin pens dominates due to their convenience and patient compliance, making up a large share of the subcutaneous insulin delivery market. While insulin pumps offer advanced management, their high cost reportedly reaching over SAR 50,000 limits their accessibility to wealthier patients or those covered under premium insurance plans. Hospital pharmacies play a vital role in distributing insulin therapies, and government initiatives ensure a degree of subsidization, although disparities remain in rural access and continuous glucose monitoring support. On the other hand, Type 2 diabetes accounts for the majority of diabetes cases in the Kingdom and represents a more diverse treatment landscape. Initially managed with oral medications such as metformin and sulfonylureas, patients with progressive Type 2 diabetes are increasingly prescribed non-insulin injectables like GLP-1 receptor agonists (e.g., semaglutide) and SGLT2 inhibitors due to their dual benefits in glycemic control and cardiovascular protection. This segment is witnessing fast growth, supported by Vision 2030 healthcare reforms promoting innovative and preventive therapies. Oral combination therapies and biosimilars are also gaining traction, offering cost-effective solutions for early-stage management. Additionally, digital platforms and online pharmacies have expanded access, with e-pharmacy adoption growing rapidly in urban centers, helping to support patient adherence and remote therapy monitoring.

Oral medications dominate a significant portion of the market, especially for patients with Type 2 diabetes, drugs such as metformin, DPP-4 inhibitors, SGLT2 inhibitors, and sulfonylureas are popular due to their ease of use, affordability, and wide availability through retail pharmacies. The convenience of oral drugs makes them particularly favored among the aging population and patients with mild to moderate disease progression, contributing to strong demand across urban and semi-urban areas. Saudi Arabia’s growing obesity epidemic a major risk factor for insulin resistance has led to an increased demand for injectable therapies, especially long-acting basal insulin analogs and GLP-1 receptor agonists that aid both glucose control and weight management. Cultural shifts, greater public awareness, and improved healthcare infrastructure have contributed to better acceptance of self-injectable drugs. Additionally, the Saudi government has invested heavily in diabetes education and access to free or subsidized insulin for citizens under the Ministry of Health’s umbrella, further boosting the uptake of subcutaneous therapies. Intravenous (IV) administration, while less common in routine outpatient management, plays a vital role in acute and hospital-based care. It is mainly used in emergency situations such as diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), hyperosmolar hyperglycemic states, or for patients undergoing surgery or admitted with uncontrolled diabetes. Saudi Arabia’s increasing rate of hospital admissions due to diabetes-related complications underscores the growing importance of IV therapies in tertiary healthcare settings. Hospitals across Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam are expanding endocrinology and emergency services to meet these critical care demands.

Hospital pharmacies dominate a significant portion of the market, especially for patients with complex conditions such as Type 1 diabetes or those receiving insulin therapy under close supervision. These pharmacies are integral to public and private hospitals and are often stocked with a wide range of diabetes medications including insulin analogs and GLP-1 receptor agonists. In Saudi Arabia, the Ministry of Health supports an extensive hospital network, and many patients rely on hospital-based pharmaceutical care for subsidized or free diabetes treatment, particularly in urban centers like Riyadh and Jeddah. Retail pharmacies, on the other hand, are more consumer-facing and convenient, especially for patients with Type 2 diabetes managing their condition with oral antidiabetics such as metformin, DPP-4 inhibitors, and SGLT2 inhibitors. These pharmacies are prevalent in both urban and rural settings and often serve as the first point of contact for newly diagnosed individuals. The growing awareness and self-management of diabetes among Saudi citizens have increased foot traffic in retail pharmacies, which also offer counseling services, glucometers, and lifestyle management supplements. With increasing urbanization and a shift towards preventive healthcare, retail pharmacies are witnessing heightened demand for over-the-counter diabetes support products and are adapting by expanding their diabetic care offerings. Online pharmacies are rapidly gaining traction in the Saudi diabetes drug market due to the Kingdom's strong digital infrastructure and the rise of e-health initiatives under the Vision 2030 program. The COVID-19 pandemic further accelerated this trend, leading to widespread acceptance of remote consultations and doorstep medication delivery. Online platforms are particularly attractive to younger, tech-savvy patients and those in remote areas who may face challenges accessing physical pharmacies. These digital pharmacies offer not just convenience but also cost advantages, automated refill reminders, and comprehensive product availability.

Considered in this report
• Historic Year: 2019
• Base year: 2024
• Estimated year: 2025
• Forecast year: 2030

Aspects covered in this report
• Diabetic Drug Market with its value and forecast along with its segments
• Various drivers and challenges
• On-going trends and developments
• Top profiled companies
• Strategic recommendation

By Drug Class
• Insulin
• GLP-1 Receptor Agonists
• DPP-4 Inhibitors
• SGLT2 Inhibitors
• Others (metformin, sulfonylureas, and combination therapies)

By Diabetes
• Type-1
• Type-2

By Route of Administration
• Oral
• Subcutaneous
• Intravenous

By Distribution Channel
• Hospital Pharmacies
• Retail pharmacies
• Online Pharmacies Show more