World demand for infection prevention products to reach US$130bn in 2017

World demand for infection prevention products is forecast to increase by 6.4% annually to US$130bn in 2017, according to a new study by Cleveland-based industry market research firm The Freedonia Group.

The upgrading and enforcement of patient and staff safety standards in healthcare facilities, coupled with an expanding volume of hospital, surgical, and outpatient procedures, will promote overall gains, says the report, World Infection Prevention Products. China, the US, India, Russia, Japan, Germany, France, Italy, Brazil, and the UK will comprise the 10 largest national markets, together accounting for nearly two-thirds of global demand in 2017.

Demand for infection prevention products in the US, Western Europe, Japan and virtually all other developed countries will expand at a below-average pace through 2017 and beyond as their medical delivery systems are well established, meet the healthcare needs of most residents, and have already adopted stringent patient and medical staff safety standards. In contrast, growth in China, India, Brazil and many other emerging economies will exceed the world average as their healthcare sectors are expanded, modernised and adapted to formal infection prevention protocols.

Protective apparel and textiles will remain the top selling group of infection prevention products worldwide. Greater efforts by hospitals and outpatient facilities to reduce the threat of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) in operating theatres will promote the increasing use of high value-added, barrier enhanced surgical drapes, gowns, face masks and other apparel.

Safety enhanced medical devices will also fare well in the global marketplace as healthcare facilities seek improved safety in blood collection, catheterisation, drug delivery and surgical procedures. This product group serves two critical areas of infection prevention: the reduction of HAIs and the prevention of accidental needlesticks.

World Infection Prevention Products is available for $6100 from The Freedonia Group, T +1 440 684 9600, pr@freedoniagroup.com, www.freedoniagroup.com.