European Use of Regional Anesthesia Kits

Growing awareness of the benefits of regional anesthesia is boosting the use of this procedure in Europe. In 2003, the total market for regional anesthesia kits was estimated at U.S.$80 million, of which the epidural kit segment generated the most revenue. From 2003 to 2010, as much as a 14.2% growth is forecast for the peripheral kits market segment, according to a report from Frost & Sullivan (Palo Alto, CA, USA), a global consulting company.

Although the rising costs of healthcare are intensifying pricing pressures in the European market, alternative strategies are being developed to maintain price levels. For example, regional anesthesia kit customization presents an opportunity to reduce nursing hours spent in procedure set-up, decreases cross-contamination, provides more efficient tracking of procedure costs, and has the capacity to meet diverse clinician preferences or requirements.

Nonetheless, the ability to provide a lead offer of high quality regional anesthesia products alongside additional customization services poses a major challenge. Most of this challenge relates to determining a cost-effective process for customizing products, whether through outsourcing the manufacture of certain parts of the kit or contracting out the entire kit. Before deciding on the best market approach, however, companies need to assess prospective partnership opportunities as well as their own internal capabilities.

"Companies need to strategically positions themselves to leverage the high-growth opportunity projected for the peripheral kits segment and anticipate the opportunities that kit customization offers,” advises Sumit Sharma, research manager, Frost & Sullivan. "Product advancement is likely to be crucial, with companies needing to rapidly respond to the growing customer requirement for customization and expanded sets. Additionally, developments in individual component technology such as needle tips, hubs, and ports require investment to ensure that the quality requirements of end users continue to be met.”




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