Europe Single-Use Medical Device Reprocessing Market Size

Europe Single-use Medical Device Reprocessing Market Analysis

The European single-use medical device (SUD) reprocessing market is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 6.1% during the forecast period.

The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in postponements and cancellations of non-essential and elective procedures, such as dental procedures and orthopedic surgeries, which led to a significant decline in the number of surgeries during the pandemic. This led to a significant decline in the demand for reprocessed medical devices. For instance, according to an article published by PubMed Central in January 2022, during the first COVID-19 pandemic wave, elective procedures were significantly reduced in Europe to increase critical care capacity for patients with COVID-19 and release the surgical team to support other medical areas in need, including intensive care. Hence, the pandemic significantly impacted the demand for surgical medical devices, including reprocessed devices. However, as the pandemic subsided, the market studied is expected to witness stable growth during the forecast period.

Rising clinical urgency to minimize the generation of medical waste in healthcare settings and hospitals, cost savings through reprocessing single-use devices, and regulatory pressure to reduce volume of medical waste are among the key factors driving the market growth. The lowering of the overall cost of healthcare through the reprocessing of single-use devices is also a primary factor driving this market. In Germany, reprocessing has been regulated for over a decade with a large number of hospitals showing significant cost savings. It has been strictly subjected to monitoring and surveillance by public authorities and the European Union (EU)-accredited notified body. Similarly, in the United Kingdom, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) legalized the use and manufacture of reprocessed single-use medical devices for use. In addition, it helps insurers and hospitals for better management and reduced healthcare costs with the improvement of the healthcare system.

Furthermore, the rising number of surgeries taking place is also a major factor driving the growth of the market as it is increasing the demand for reprocessed single-use medical devices. For instance, according to the data published by NHS in 2021, an estimated 64,211 surgical procedures were recorded by the public health of Engalnd. Hence, it is expected to increase the adoption of reprocessed medical devices.

Moreover, along with cost reduction, it also results in environmental sustainability. SUD reprocessing is one of the top healthcare supply chain strategies used to reduce costs and optimize resources. The aforementioned factors such as the rising number of surgeries taking place, rising clinical urgency to minimize the generation of medical waste in healthcare settings and hospitals, and the lowering of the overall cost of healthcare through the reprocessing of single-use devices, are anticipated to contribute towards the development of market in the immediate future.

However, the potential of material alteration and cross infection with reprocessed device and preconceived notions regarding the quality of reprocessed single-use medical devices (SUDs) are the major factors that are expected to impede the growth of this market.