Global demand for medical disposables is forecast to rise 6.6 percent annually to $245 billion in 2018. The strongest influence on growth will involve the upgrading and stricter enforcement of infection prevention protocols by hospitals and other health facilities throughout the world. Additionally, in most countries an increasing volume of hospital, surgical, and outpatient activity will boost the overall market for disposable supplies and devices employed in direct patient care. Lastly, global sales of consumer medical disposables, such as adhesive bandages, home test kits, and incontinence garments, will expand due to the impact of evolving demographic and epidemiological patterns as well as trends encouraging the regular practice of preventive medicine and self-treatment. These and other trends are presented in World Medical Disposables, a new study from The Freedonia Group Inc, a Cleveland-based market research firm.
Supplies and devices indicated for the treatment or management of widely prevalent chronic conditions will realise the fastest worldwide revenue growth among medical disposables. Drug delivery will remain another large revenue-generating application for medical disposables. Safety enhanced prefilled and hypodermic syringes and IV catheters will build up world demand based on their reduced risks of accidental staff.