World demand for disposable medical supplies is forecast to expand 6.2% annually to US$198 bln in 2016. The upgrading and enforcement of infection prevention standards, coupled with an expanding volume of hospital, surgical, and outpatient procedures, will promote overall gains.USA, China, Japan, Germany, Russia, France, India, Italy, UK and Brazil will comprise the 10 largest national 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 over 11% in India, as per The Freedonia Group, Inc. Demand for disposable medical supplies in the United States, Western Europe, Japan, and most other developed countries will expand at a below average pace as their medical delivery systems are well established, meet the health care needs of most residents, and have already adopted stringent infection prevention standards. By contrast, growth in the BRIC countries and many other emerging economies will exceed the world average as health care sectors are expanded, modernized and adapted to formal infection prevention protocols. Among the major 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 above average worldwide sales growth include diagnostic and laboratory disposables, respiratory supplies and devices, and infusion and hypodermic devices. The use of diagnostic and laboratory disposables will benefit from upward trends in cardiac testing and diabetes self-monitoring activities. An increasing base of allergy, asthma and COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) patients receiving regular treatment will boost demand for respiratory supplies and devices, especially prefilled inhalers. Rising preferences among medical providers for high value-added configurations with improved infection prevention safeguards will drive up sales of infusion and hypodermic devices. Drug delivery is another fast growing application for disposable medical supplies.

US demand for disposable medical supplies will grow 4.1% pa to US$49.3 bln in 2018, as per Freedonia. An increasing volume of patient activity attributable to an ageing population, a rising incidence of medical conditions, and the extension of health insurance coverage by the Affordable Care Act of 2010 will comprise the major forces that spur growth. The US disposable medical supplies market will also benefit from a heightened focus on infection prevention throughout the health care sector. Pressures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations
(JCAHO), and other medical organizations will prompt hospitals, outpatient facilities, and other health establishments to follow protocols and standards aimed at keeping patients and staff personnel safe from exposure to dangerous, potentially life-threatening pathogens during medical procedures drug delivery products to remain fastest growing type. Based on an increasing number of patients who need surgery or long-term chronic care therapy, drug delivery and related products will remain the fastest expanding group of disposable medical supplies. Total US demand growth will outpace the industry average and reach US$13.4 bln in 2018. Safety enhanced devices for the minimally invasive delivery of parenteral medicines, inhalation therapies, and IV and dialysis solutions will lead growth. Disposable wound management products will register demand of US$10.1 bln in 2018, up nearly as fast as the annual industry average rate of growth from 2013. Polymeric tissue sealants, along with alginate, foam and collagen wound dressings, will realize the best growth based on enhanced safety and faster healing properties. Conversely, demand for bandages will expand at a below average pace due to limited pricing flexibility and the overall lack of proprietary types. First aid kits will fare the best among disposable wound management products, benefiting from trends promoting self-treatment. Advances in less invasive surgery will weaken the overall US market for traditional suture and staple wound closures. Compared to disposable medical supplies as a whole, nonwoven medical disposables will see above average growth in demand. The heightened focus on infection prevention in the health care sector will boost consumption of single use, high value-added nonwoven garments and textiles by hospitals and outpatient facilities. A rising prevalence of incontinence problems attributable to the ageing population trend will impact favorably on retail and institutional sales of nonwoven adult undergarments, shields, and other protective products. The best growth in demand among other disposable medical supplies will evolve in products with enhanced infection prevention, performance, and/or cost containment benefits. Included in this group are biological sterilization indicators, intermittent urinary drainage catheters, orthopedic surgical kits and trays, polymeric surgical gloves, reinforced waste disposal containers and accessories, single use labware, and specialty surgical instruments. By contrast, changes in patient care approaches or health insurance coverage will adversely affect growth prospects for several disposables including angioplasty catheters, blood glucose test strips, and single use patient room supplies.