Orphan drug sales projected to exceed 21% of prescription market by 2032, driven by strong pipeline and policy support

Orphan drug developers continue to see robust sales growth even as the broader pharmaceutical industry faces pricing and policy turbulence. The latest Evaluate Orphan Drugs Report highlights that sales trajectories remain upward, buoyed by strategic relevance and a deepening pipeline.

Forecasts indicate orphan drugs will represent more than 21% of all prescription pharmaceutical sales by 2032, up from 15% in 2022. This translates to roughly $400 billion of the projected $2 trillion global prescription market, a share comparable to the entire market two decades ago.

Policy adjustments, including an orphan‑friendly amendment to the Inflation Reduction Act in 2025, are cited as key drivers. The report also notes that the eight top‑selling orphan products are expected to each surpass $6 billion in worldwide revenue by 2032, with Darzalex (daratumumab) poised to double its franchise value thanks to a sub‑cutaneous formulation.

Overall, the data suggest that orphan drugs will remain a durable and increasingly significant segment for pharma companies and investors alike.