Pediatric palliative care is a special medical practice geared to treating and relieving pain in children, pregnant women, and people with chronic diseases. These people are at high risk of suffering from depression and suicide, which is why medication should not be taken for long periods. Over the years, palliative care has become significantly necessary for children. In fact, the demand for pediatric palliative care drugs has increased massively in the recent past with a high incidence of rare genetic disease among children. As per the Rare Genomics Institute (RGI), 1:10 people in the U.S. suffer from a rare disease with 30% of them not surviving till their 5the birthday. As per the same source, rare diseases are responsible for around 35% of deaths in the first year of life in the U.S. Such a high incidence of rare diseases with pediatric-onset has increased the demand for palliative care drugs, which can potentially augment the growth of the pediatric palliative care drugs market.
Pediatric palliative care is an effective treatment option for children and young individuals who are diagnosed with cancer. Their families are told to prepare themselves for the emotional and physical effects that the disease will have on the child. Since there is a high prevalence of such pediatric rare diseases, the product approvals by regulatory authorities have increased over the years. Improved and more effective pediatric drugs have been approved and launched in the market, to cater to high demand. Hence, such factors can augment the growth of the pediatric palliative care drugs market shortly.
Recently, in February 2020, Aimmune Therapeutics Inc. received the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for its California, the first peanut allergy treatment for children aged 4-17 years.
Developed countries such as the U.S. have gained significant traction in the pediatric palliative care drugs market. This is typically due to a high number of rare disease cases among children and the presence of robust healthcare infrastructure across the country. On the contrary, emerging economies such as India and China are gradually exhibiting promising signs in the field of palliative care drugs due to improving healthcare infrastructure in the region.
Pediatric palliative care can be provided by a team of doctors, nurses, and therapists. There are several types of services available such as counseling, symptom management, natural therapies, and pain management. Regardless, there is still a lack of awareness among people regarding pediatric rare diseases and relevant treatments and drugs. As a result of this, a very low population pool ends up adopting these drugs, thereby impeding the growth of the pediatric palliative care drugs market.