APAC's top performers

The top performing markets in the APAC region include China, India, Japan, and South Korea.

This is because Asian countries are implementing stricter infection control standards to minimize the risk of infections in healthcare facilities.

"In addition, rising awareness of hygiene requirements for protection of both patients and healthcare providers are improving in these markets, which have fueled the growth of disposable medical supplies market," said an analyst at Persistence Market Research (PMR).

Hot trends

Increasing numbers of minimally invasive surgeries, home care treatments, and self-monitoring activities, increasing demand for wound management supplies, rising number of mergers and acquisitions (M&As) between medical supplies manufacturers, and introduction of higher safety disposable products are the major trends observed in the disposable medical supplies industry.

"Also, introduction of nitrile and latex-based gloves and increasing usage of Radiofrequency Identification (RFID) technology in disposable collection supplies are gaining momentum in APAC," PMR added.

Growth drivers

Increasing prevalence of chronic diseases such as mental disorders, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and cancer, are noted as the key driving factors for the disposable medical supplies market.

Also, increasing numbers of hospitalization cases, growing aging population, improving healthcare infrastructure and rising disposable incomes are also supporting its growth.

PMR noted, "Moreover, pressures from organizations including Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), on implementing infection prevention standards in healthcare facilities for safety and usage purposes of medical supplies have fueled the growth of this market."

Stringent regulations

Analysts at PMR observed that stringent regulations for the approval of plastic-based medical supplies, and stricter disposal standards as major regulatory hurdles.

Dialysis is said to be the fastest growing segment in this market. This is due to increasing prevalence of end stage renal disorders which requires high frequency of dialysis disposables for their management.

"Volatile raw material prices, increasing usage of reusable items, stringent regulatory compliances for usage and disposal of disposable supplies and their environmental concerns are key challenges of the APAC disposable medical supplies market," the research firm commented.

Notable innovations in 2014

 In August 2014, Becton, Dickinson and Company (BD), manufacturer of medical devices and instruments, launched BD AutoShield Duo - a pen needle with a patented dual front and back-end shields, providing convenience and safety before and after injecting insulin
 In August 2014, Eli Lilly, primarily involved in discovery and development of pharmaceutical products, launched Basaglar - an insulin glargine injection indicated to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes, and in combination with mealtime insulin in adults, and pediatric patients with type 1 diabetes
 In October 2014, Ansell, which provides protective solutions to healthcare organizations, launched TouchNTuff 93-250 disposable gloves

Key players

 3M
 Abbott Laboratories
 Advanced Medical Solutions
 Bayer AG
 Becton, Dickinson and Company
 Boston Scientific
 BSN medical India
 C R Bard
 Hospira
 Johnson & Johnson
 Kimberly-Clark
 Medtronic
 Roche Holding
 Schott AG
 Smiths Group
 STERIS
 Terumo