- Growing demand for safety features, coupled with growing market for self-injection is fuelling demand for PFS

LONDON, July 25, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The prefillable syringes (PFS) market in Europe is growing due to the convenience, efficiency, and safety PFS offers. There is an increasing use of PFS in high-cost drug applications as well, in order to contain wastage. Most of the Europe-based PFS manufacturers have either expanded their capacity or are planning further capacity expansion in the next two or three years. For now, the market is dominated by Becton, Dickinson and Company (BD), which accounts for a market share of approximately 70 per cent.

New analysis from Frost & Sullivan (http://www.pharma.frost.com), Analysis of the European Prefillable Syringes Market, finds that the total European demand for glass prefillable syringes for all therapeutic applications combined was roughly 1.63 billion units in 2011. The demand for PFS is expected to grow to approximately 3.62 billion units by 2018 in Europe at a CAGR of 10.3 per cent.

"The major growth drivers for PFS are factors such as convenience for healthcare professionals and patients, enhanced product differentiation, lower overfill which helps reduce costs and maximise yield, reduced risk of dosage error and contamination," noted Frost & Sullivan Program Manager Ranjith Gopinathan. "Moreover, increasing use of biologics as a therapy for various disease indications has bolstered the growth of parenteral delivery."

There is considerable demand for syringes with safety features. Safety syringes like the Luer lock or syringes with additional safety features are gaining favourable opinion among policy makers and healthcare providers in Europe. Conversion to devices with safety features would drive demand growth for PFS.

However, cost is a major restraining factor for PFS demand. Cost of prefillable syringes is higher when compared to other delivery routes such as vials and ampoules. Moreover, safety-enabled syringes like Luer lock and those with proprietary safety features have premium pricing.

Nevertheless, the strong growth in the self-injection market, preference for added safety features and the growing market for seasonal influenza vaccines, pitch a strong case for PFS demand. Furthermore, new regulatory norms require drugs with shelf life of more than two years, to be in glass PFS.

"Overall, PFS with customised dimensions, competitive pricing, product innovation with focus on safety features and timely delivery would be key success factors for market participants," summarises Gopinathan.

If you are interested in more information on this study, please send an e-mail with your contact details to Janique Morvan, Corporate Communications, at janique.morvan@frost.com.

Analysis of the European Prefillable Syringes Market is part of the Life Sciences Growth Partnership Service programme, which also includes research in the following markets: Analysis of the European Thrombosis Therapeutics Market, European Vaccines Market, among others. All research included in subscriptions provide detailed market opportunities and industry trends that have been evaluated following extensive interviews with market participants.

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Analysis of the European Prefillable Syringes Market
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Contact:
Janique Morvan
Corporate Communications – Europe
P: +33 (0)1-42-81-20-37
M: +33 (0)6-79-22-41-42
E: janique.morvan@frost.com

http://www.frost.com

SOURCE Frost & Sullivan