Spain Diabetes Drug Market Overview, 2030

Spain’s diabetes drug market is witnessing steady growth driven by the increasing prevalence of diabetes, aging population, rising obesity rates, and growing awareness about the disease. According to International Diabetes Federation, around 4.7 million Canadians are living with diabetes, this number is projected to increase to 4.9 million by 2050. The cost burden is also substantial; Spain spends around USD 2,808 per person with diabetes annually, leading to a total national expenditure of nearly USD 13.08 billion on diabetes-related healthcare. This financial strain highlights the need for effective treatment options and improved management strategies. Companies such as Novo Nordisk, Sanofi, Eli Lilly, AstraZeneca, and Merck are major players in the Spanish market, investing heavily in research and development to provide more effective treatment regimens, including combination therapies and long-acting insulin analogs. Biosimilars offer cost advantages and broader accessibility, allowing for improved glycemic control at a lower financial burden. This trend is especially relevant given Spain’s decentralized healthcare system, where regional governments are seeking value-based procurement strategies. The Spanish National Health System (SNS) has started reimbursing flash glucose monitoring devices for patients with type 2 diabetes who are on intensive insulin therapy, demonstrating governmental commitment toward digital transformation in healthcare. Regulations in Spain are closely aligned with EU standards and are enforced by the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Medical Devices (AEMPS), which ensures that innovative treatments are evaluated and introduced responsibly. Recent regulatory decisions, such as the European Medicines Agency’s (EMA) approval of expanded indications for semaglutide (Ozempic) for patients with type 2 diabetes and peripheral artery disease, will soon be reflected in Spanish medical practice, offering broader treatment options.

According to the research report, ""Spain Diabetes Drug Market Overview, 2030,"" published by Bonafide Research, the Spain Diabetes Drug market is anticipated to add to more than USD 430 Million by 2025–30. Urbanization and sedentary lifestyles have led to a surge in lifestyle-related diabetes, prompting a higher demand for oral antidiabetic agents and fixed-dose combinations that offer simplicity and adherence benefits. In response, pharmaceutical companies are introducing more patient-friendly dosage forms and dual-action therapies, which are being well-received in Spain’s healthcare ecosystem. Another rising factor is the shift towards early-stage intervention strategies, supported by both public and private healthcare institutions. Screening campaigns and educational outreach programs have gained traction, particularly in regions like Catalonia, Madrid, and Andalusia, leading to earlier diagnosis and proactive treatment, which in turn drives demand for first-line drugs such as metformin and DPP-4 inhibitors. Additionally, there is growing emphasis on cardiovascular-safe diabetes drugs. With a large portion of the diabetic population at risk of heart-related complications, physicians in Spain are increasingly prescribing SGLT2 inhibitors and GLP-1 receptor agonists due to their proven cardiovascular and renal benefits. This trend is reinforced by recent clinical guidelines and EMA-backed recommendations that promote cardiometabolic outcomes as a treatment goal. For instance, AI has become increasingly integrated into our daily lives, with applications ranging from virtual assistants like Siri and Alexa to image recognition systems that can identify faces and objects. When it comes to space exploration, significant milestones have been achieved. In 2023, NASA's James Webb Space Telescope successfully captured the first-ever images of distant galaxies and stars, further expanding our understanding of the universe. Additionally, private companies like SpaceX have made groundbreaking progress in reusable rocket technology, significantly reducing costs associated with launching satellites and spacecraft.

Insulin continues to be a critical therapy, particularly for type 1 diabetes patients, who rely on it for lifelong glycemic control. Spain, with over 400,000 diagnosed type 1 diabetes patients, offers full reimbursement through the public health system (SNS), supporting widespread accessibility. In addition, advances in long-acting and ultra-rapid insulin analogs are driving interest in more physiologic insulin regimens. GLP-1 receptor agonists, such as liraglutide and semaglutide, are gaining traction due to their dual benefits improving glycemic control while promoting weight loss. Moreover, cardiovascular benefits demonstrated in clinical trials have made GLP-1 RAs more attractive for diabetic patients with cardiovascular risk factors, which are prevalent in the aging Spanish population. DPP-4 inhibitors, such as sitagliptin and linagliptin, have moderate demand, mainly due to their favorable safety profile and oral administration route, which is preferred by elderly patients or those with renal impairment. Despite a gradual decline in use due to the rise of more effective agents like SGLT2 inhibitors and GLP-1 RAs, DPP-4 inhibitors still represent a significant share of prescriptions in primary care settings. SGLT2 inhibitors, including empagliflozin and dapagliflozin, have seen rapid uptake due to robust evidence supporting their role in reducing hospitalization for heart failure and slowing kidney disease progression. These benefits have spurred guideline inclusion and strong support from endocrinologists and cardiologists alike in Spain. The “Others” category, led by metformin, remains the cornerstone of first-line therapy for type 2 diabetes and is widely used due to its efficacy, safety, and low cost. Sulfonylureas, though declining in popularity due to hypoglycemia risk, are still prescribed in resource-constrained settings.

Patients with Type 1 diabetes in Spain have an absolute requirement for insulin therapy. The demand for advanced insulin analogs, including long-acting and rapid-acting formulations such as insulin glargine and insulin lispro, remains strong in this segment. Spain's universal healthcare system subsidizes insulin therapies and devices such as continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) and insulin pumps, especially for pediatric patients and those with poor glycemic control. Moreover, national guidelines by the Spanish Diabetes Society (SED) support early adoption of these technologies, driving growth in this segment. Type 2 diabetes constitutes over 90% of diabetes cases in Spain, primarily affecting adults over 50, often associated with obesity, sedentary lifestyles, and poor dietary habits. This segment presents a wider variety of pharmacological options, as many patients initially manage the condition through lifestyle interventions before transitioning to oral antidiabetics or injectable therapies. The demand for metformin, the first-line treatment, remains high. However, there is increasing preference for SGLT2 inhibitors and GLP-1 receptor agonists, driven by their cardioprotective and renal benefits crucial factors for Spain's aging population, who often present with comorbid cardiovascular conditions. GLP-1 agonists such as semaglutide are gaining popularity not only for glycemic control but also for their weight-loss benefits, aligning with efforts to address obesity in Type 2 diabetic patients.

Oral antidiabetic drugs dominate the market, particularly among patients with Type 2 diabetes, which represents the vast majority of diabetes cases in the country. Commonly prescribed medications include metformin, DPP-4 inhibitors, and SGLT2 inhibitors. The preference for oral administration in Spain is linked to patient convenience, non-invasiveness, and widespread access through the country’s well-developed primary care system. The Spanish National Health System (SNS) supports long-term pharmacological treatment for chronic conditions like diabetes, making oral medications a cornerstone of first-line therapy. Additionally, oral drugs align with the national goal to reduce complications and hospitalizations through improved glycemic control in outpatient settings. The subcutaneous segment, comprising insulin therapies and GLP-1 receptor agonists, is vital for patients requiring more intensive glycemic control—primarily those with Type 1 diabetes and some advanced Type 2 diabetes cases. Spain has seen a growing demand for GLP-1 receptor agonists due to their dual benefit of glucose reduction and weight loss, which is particularly important given the country’s rising obesity rates. Insulin pens and newer analogues with improved pharmacokinetics are increasingly used, thanks to better patient adherence and fewer side effects. Intravenous administration is less common and usually reserved for acute settings, such as diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state (HHS), or inpatient surgical and emergency care where rapid glucose normalization is required. Hospitals and critical care units predominantly manage this route. Although it represents a smaller portion of the market, it remains essential for acute interventions and is supported by Spain’s robust public hospital infrastructure.

Hospital pharmacies play a crucial role in the supply of diabetes medications, especially for patients with complex conditions requiring specialized care or those hospitalized for diabetes-related complications. These facilities are often linked to public or private hospitals and manage a significant portion of the high-cost and biologic drugs such as insulin analogs, GLP-1 receptor agonists, or combination therapies administered via injection. Spain’s public healthcare system provides universal access, and thus, hospital pharmacies serve as a central hub for chronic diabetes care, particularly for Type 1 diabetes patients and individuals with multiple comorbidities who are under specialist supervision. Retail pharmacies represent the most widespread and accessible channel for the general diabetic population, particularly for Type 2 diabetes patients, who often manage their condition with oral medications like metformin or DPP-4 inhibitors. With over 22,000 community pharmacies across Spain, this channel is vital for reaching both urban and rural populations. These pharmacies are integrated into the national health system and dispense medications reimbursed by the public health insurance, often at minimal cost to patients. The demand is especially high for maintenance drugs and devices like glucose meters and test strips. Spanish pharmacists also provide patient education, reinforcing medication adherence and offering lifestyle management advice, which is increasingly valued in chronic disease care models. Online pharmacies, while still emerging, are experiencing rising popularity driven by digital transformation and the post-COVID-19 shift toward e-health solutions. Spain has stringent regulations concerning online drug sales, allowing only authorized websites to distribute non-prescription drugs directly, while prescription medications can be reserved online but must typically be picked up in person or shipped from a licensed pharmacy.

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