Demand for disposable medical supplies to grow 6.4% annually to 2016, says report
Emerging markets will see faster growth than developed markets
Global demand for disposable medical supplies is projected to grow 6.4% annually to nearly US$200bn in 2016, a report by RnR Market Research forecasts.
The report, World Disposable Medical Supplies to 2016, says growth will come from the upgrading and enforcement of infection prevention standards, coupled with an expanding volume of hospital, surgical and outpatient procedures.
The US, China, Japan, Germany, Russia, France, India, Italy, UK and Brazil will comprise the ten largest geographical markets, combining to absorb nearly 70% of global demand in 2016. During the forecast period (2011–2016), average annual growth in these markets will range from 3.7% in Japan to nearly 13% in China.
But the report forecasts that demand for disposable medical supplies in the US, Western Europe, Japan and virtually all other developed countries will expand at a below average pace to 2016 and beyond, owing to the fact that medical delivery systems are well established, meet the healthcare needs of most patients, and have already adopted stringent infection prevention standards.
By contrast, growth in China, India, Brazil, Russia, and many other emerging economies will exceed the world average as healthcare sectors are expanded, modernised, and adapted to formal infection prevention protocols.
The range of disposable medical supplies consumed worldwide extends into 11 major product segments and 8 additional product lines. Among the major product segments, world demand in 2016 will range from $7.5bn for patient room supplies to $32.2bn for surgical instruments and supplies. Dialysis disposables will realise the fastest growth based on an increasing global prevalence of serious renal disorders.
Other product segments projected to see above average gains in demand include infusion and hypodermic devices, diagnostic and laboratory disposables, non-woven garments and textiles, and respiratory supplies and devices.
The fastest growth among the 8 additional product lines will evolve in transdermal patches, urinary catheters and accessories, and first aid kits, the report says.
Advances in disposable medical supplies are contributing significant improvements to the safety and outcome of patient procedures, says the report. Products such as Level 4 microbial resistant surgical gowns and drapes have greatly reduced the risk of spreading air- and blood-borne infections during surgery. New polymer and bioengineered tissue sealants are decreasing the length of many surgical procedures and are promoting the faster recovery of post-operative patients.
Drug delivery is another fast-growing application served by disposable medical supplies. New and improved safety engineered prefillable and hypodermic syringes and IV catheters have substantially lowered the risk of accidental staff and patient needlestick injuries before and after medication injections. Innovations in prefilled inhalers and transdermal patches are expanding the range of chronic conditions adaptable to cost-effective self-treatment.
In addition to drug delivery, innovations in disposable medical supplies are enabling patients to carry out themselves a number of other healthcare functions, including blood glucose testing, urinary drainage, and chronic wound management.
