According to a recent report by the Freedonia Group, world demand for disposable medical supplies will increase 6.6 percent yearly to nearly $245 billion in 2018. The upgrading and enforcement of infection prevention standards, coupled with an expanding volume of hospital, surgical, and outpatient procedures, will promote overall gains. Freedonia reports that the US, China, Japan, Russia, Germany, France, Brazil, India, Italy, and the UK will comprise the 10 largest national markets, combining to absorb over two-thirds of the total value of global demand in 2018. During the forecast period (2013-2018), average annual growth in these markets will range from 3.6 percent in Japan to 15 percent in China.
The report goes on to state that of themajor disposable medical supply product segments, dialysis disposables will post the fastest increases in global demand based on an expanding prevalence of end-stage renal disorders and the high frequency of therapeutic requirements. Other segments projected to command average or better worldwide revenue growth include incontinence goods, infusion and hypodermic devices, nonwoven products, respiratory supplies and devices, sterilization supplies, and urinary catheters and accessories, first aid kits, ostomy appliances, transdermal patches, and waste disposal supplies.
Drug delivery is another fast growing application for disposable medical supplies. In addition to drug delivery, disposable medical supplies allow patients to perform other health care functions themselves, including urinary drainage, and chronic wound management.
