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Surgical Drapes, Gowns And Gloves
Markets In Europe
Rising Awareness of Nosocomial Infections and
Increase in Surgical Procedures Drive Demand for Surgical Drapes, Gowns and
Gloves
The European surgical drapes, gowns and gloves markets are moving slowly toward
maturity and are dominated by few large market participants. The growth rates
for the market are modest, yet steady. The increase in nosocomial infections in
parallel with the rise in surgical procedures ensures that there is always need
for surgical drapes, gowns and gloves.
In addition to this, the major factor driving market
growth is the medical directive EN 13795, which has set high standards of
quality for surgical drapes and gowns. More often than not, these standards are
met only by the disposable drapes and gowns market. As a result, the conversion
to disposable surgical drapes and gowns is likely to gain momentum. On the other
hand, the surgical gloves market has reached saturation in the powder-free
segment and is expected to see conversion to synthetic alternatives.
Frost & Sullivan finds that the Surgical Drapes,
Gowns and Gloves Markets in Europe earned revenues of $751.6 million in 2006 and
estimates this to reach $1.9 billion in 2013.
"The prohibitive costs associated with nosocomial
infections, both monetarily and physically, have placed enormous emphasis on the
usage of surgical drapes, gowns and gloves during surgical procedures," notes
Frost & Sullivan Research Analyst Ms. Sabita Ramachandran. "With an expected
increase in surgical procedures, the consumption of surgical drapes, gowns and
gloves is set to grow accordingly."
Cost-cutting measures are being undertaken in order
to accommodate deficits in healthcare budgets. This is resulting in a decline in
prices, thereby creating enormous pricing pressure for market participants. In
response to this challenge, market participants are increasingly looking to cut
costs to ensure that the cost-cutting measures undertaken by healthcare agencies
are incorporated.
"With challenges such as price erosion,
consolidation and the search for cost-effective solutions, the markets are
reaching a stage of saturation," explains Ms. Ramachandran. "The decline in
prices means that the profit margins of participants are limited and this is
affecting R&D investments, which are crucial for maturing markets such as the
European surgical drapes, gowns and gloves markets."
Market participants will need to acquire or form
alliances with companies that can help them broaden their product portfolio,
rather than increase their market share. By expanding their product portfolio,
companies will be able to participate in multi-product tenders, which help to
reduce costs and provide multi-modal healthcare solutions.
For more deatails, send an e-mail to Radhika Menon
Theodore - Corporate Communications at
rmtheodore@frost.com
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