The drug testing market size is estimated to be USD 11,876.9 million in 2022 and is expected to witness a CAGR of 5.12% during the forecast period 2023-2033. Strict government rules requiring alcohol and drug testing for safety reasons and rising initiatives to track and combat substance addiction is expected to propel the market growth. Furthermore, rising prevalence of substance addiction and increasing drug and alcohol consumption is expected to support the market growth. However, right to privacy and the ban on drug and alcohol testing in some countries is expected to hinder the growth.

Strict government rules requiring alcohol and drug testing for safety reasons is expected to fuel the market growth. The requirement for substance misuse screening for safety reasons under stringent laws enforced by numerous government entities has increased demand for new products. For instance, the Michigan State Police (MSP) expanded the Oral Fluid Roadside Analysis Pilot Program in October 2019 after running a one-year roadside drug testing pilot programme from 2017 to 2018 in five counties. Similar to this, in August 2018, Canada’s Justice Minister and Attorney General approved the use of roadside oral fluid screening technology to identify drug drivers.

Rising initiatives to track and combat substance addiction predicted to propel the market growth. The Substance Use and Addictions Program (SUAP) of Health Canada provides funding and contributions for initiatives that address the problem of substance addiction in Canada. This programme supports programmes in Canada that aim to prevent substance use, reduce harm, and provide treatment. Additionally, the city of New York started a number of efforts in April 2016 to train medical professionals who deal with substance misuse and increase testing for synthetic opioids. Prevention, operation, treatment, law enforcement, and interdiction are the five-drug control functional areas that the National Drug Control Budget in the United States requested USD 34.6 billion for in FY 2020.

Segmentation

By Type

The market is categorized into instruments, consumables, services, and rapid testing devices. In the global market, the consumables segment accounted for the largest revenue share in 2022 owing to the rising release of advanced consumables that offer enhanced solutions to make testing simple, accurate, and quick. For instance, at the 2019 American Association for Clinical Chemistry (AACC) Annual Scientific Meeting in August 2019, MedTest Dx, Inc. unveiled Clinitox Calibrators and Controls. To avoid measuring processes, managing controls and certifications, the requirement to acquire and set up materials, and multiple handling, these calibrators and controls provide confirmation testing for laboratories.

By Sample Type

The market is divided into oral fluid samples, urine samples, hair samples, and others. In 2022, the urine samples accounted for the highest revenue share due to the fact that urine samples are the most often used sample type to find the existence of illicit substances. it is easier and faster to obtain a sample at the roadside.  The oral fluid sample market segment held a large market share due to the fact that it is easier and quicker to obtain a sample at the roadside. Oral fluid samples are favoured over urine samples due to their ability to save time and preserve dignity, regardless of the additional expenditures, according to NCBI 2020 report, which was based on a survey of both staff and patients.

By Drug Type

The market is segregated into cocaine, alcohol, LSD, opioids, cannabis/marijuana, amphetamine & methamphetamine, and others. In the global market, the cannabis/marijuana segment accounted for the largest revenue share in 2022 owing to fact that marijuana or cannabis is the illegal substance that is most frequently used in important markets, which leads to a large need for testing kits. The Opioids segment’s revenue share was second-largest. This high share can be attributed to the escalating opioid crisis in key market, such as North America, and the development of cutting-edge testing methods for the drug. Alere iCup Rx Drug Screen was introduced by Alere Inc., an Abbott Laboratories company, in July 2017.

By End Use

The market is divided into workplaces, drug testing laboratories, hospitals, and others. In 2022, the drug testing laboratories segment accounted for the largest revenue share owing to their broad acceptability and reliable results. Drug testing laboratories are able to identify the presence of any illegal substance, in contrast to rapid tests. The availability of advanced technology, such as HPLC and spectroscopy, and skilled employees for conducting tests for accurate findings are further benefits of drug testing laboratories. Therefore, compared to fast tests, laboratory results for testing are more sensitive and specific. Workplaces are anticipated to experience the quickest rate of growth throughout the projection period due to the increasing usage of pre-employment drug testing and random drug testing to ensure drug-free workplaces.

Regional Markets

In 2022, North America region accounted for the highest revenue in the drug testing market and is expected to maintain its dominance during the forecast period. This is attributed to the existence of significant players implementing substantial expansion strategies and strict laws for workplace testing. The market in Asia Pacific is anticipated to experience profitable growth over the course of the projected period as a result of the rising demand for substance abuse screening from emerging economies like China and India. The demand for drug testing in these nations has increased due to the rise in drug-related crimes, deadly traffic accidents, and substance misuse diseases.

Competitor Insights

Some of the key players operating in the drug testing market are Legacy Medical Services, LLC, Quidel Corporation, F. Hoffmann-La Roche, Quest Diagnostics Incorporated, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc., Agilent Technologies, Inc., Abbott Laboratories, LabCorp, Drägerwerk AG & CO. KGaA, Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc., Siemens Healthineers, Clinical Reference Laboratory (CRL), Inc., Cordant Health Solutions, and Omega laboratories, Inc.

To achieve a competitive edge, these businesses are implementing a variety of growth strategies. Strategic partnerships, alliances, and agreements with different businesses and research institutions are seen to be the main strategies used by companies in this sector.

• For instance, Thermo Fisher Scientific introduced CEDIA Mitragynine (Kratom) Assay for forensic and criminal justice usage in April 2019.

This comprehensive research report focuses on the global and regional market size and forecasts of diverse segments including product type, drug type, sample type, and end use from 2023 to 2033.

Report Scope:

Segmentation: Drug Testing Market Report 2022 – 2033

Product Type (Revenue, USD Million), 2022 – 2033

• Instruments
• Consumables
• Services
• Rapid Testing Devices

Sample Type (Revenue, USD Million), 2022 – 2033

• Oral Fluid Samples
• Urine Samples
• Hair Samples
• Others

Drug Type (Revenue, USD Million), 2022 – 2033

• Cocaine
• Alcohol
• LSD
• Opioids
• Cannabis/Marijuana
• Amphetamine & Methamphetamine
• Others

End Use (Revenue, USD Million), 2022 – 2033

• Workplaces
• Drug Testing Laboratories
• Hospitals
• Others

By Region (Revenue, USD Million), 2022 – 2033

• North America
  • U.S.
  • Canada
• Europe
  • Germany
  • France
  • UK
  • Spain
  • Italy
  • Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • Japan
  • India
  • Australia
  • South Korea
  • Rest of APAC
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
  • Argentina
  • Rest of LATAM
• Middle East & Africa
  • South Africa
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Rest of MEA