In short
Millennium Research Group (MRG), the global medical technology market intelligence company has issued a report entitled; “European Markets for Vascular Access Devices 2012”. The report concludes that the $350 million European vascular access device market will grow slowly through 2016, a significant source of growth predicted to result from the substitution of premium priced safety short peripheral intravenous catheters (PIVCs) and safety Huber needles for their cheaper standard alternatives, driven by the adoption of the EU Sharps Directive.
Background
The report includes procedure, unit, average selling price and revenue information, along with market drivers and limiters and competitive landscape for short peripheral intravenous catheters (PIVCs), central venous catheters (CVCs), implantable ports, dialysis catheters and peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) sold in France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom.
According to the report safety short PIVCs will account for the largest revenue share in the European PIVC market, increasing from 69 percent in 2011 to 81 percent of the total by 2016, as they are increasingly adopted over standard short PIVCs because they reduce needlestick injuries. Growth in safety short PIVC sales will be slower in Germany and Spain because they adopted country-specific implementation guidelines early and market penetration is already quite high. France and Italy still lack national policies and will see slower adoption. The United Kingdom lacks a national guideline, but awareness of the directive has led to high unit sales and moderate market growth.
Safety Huber needles also help protect clinicians from needlestick injuries. Safety Huber needles come equipped with features, varying by manufacturer, that protect clinicians from accidental contact with the tip of the needle. The EU Sharps Directive calls for the adoption of safety needles by 2013. As with PIVCs, safety Huber needles are currently most widely used in Germany and Spain.
MRG comments
“Overall, safety device usage will expand across all European countries,” said MRG Senior Analyst Julie McLaughlin. “Safety PIVCs are sold at a price approximately 1.5 times higher than standard PIVCs, so their increased adoption will drive market revenue growth within the PIVC market.”
Source: Millennium Research Group