The European Heart Network (EHN) estimates that cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are responsible for 3.9 million deaths in Europe each year. Furthermore, the Cancer Atlas reveals that nearly 3.9 million new cancer cases and around 1.9 million cancer deaths were recorded in Europe in 2018. Additionally, the World Health Organization (WHO) states that approximately 60 million people in Europe are living with diabetes. The growing prevalence of such chronic diseases will create a huge requirement for durable medical equipment (DME) in the region.
Currently, a range of durable infusion pumps, oxygen equipment, vital sign monitors, blood glucose monitors, wheelchairs, walking aids, scooters, toilet rails/frames, stretchers, medical beds, and patient lifts and lift chairs are manufactured by Invacare Corporation, Medline Industries Inc., General Electric Company, Hill-Rom Holdings Inc., Johnson & Johnson, Arjo AB, Stryker Corporation, Abbott Laboratories, DeVilbiss Healthcare LLC, Medtronic plc, Koninklijke Philips N.V., Handicare Group AB, Becton, Dickinson and Company, Siemens AG, and Sunrise Medical.
In recent years, they have introduced new products to cater to a greater number of end users. For instance, in April 2018, Permobil AB introduced Precision Lock Back Angle Adjustment, which allows for an exact fit, with effortless adjustment, in a wheelchair. This allows for modifications while the patient is seated on the chair, thereby reducing unnecessary transfers. Likewise, in July 2018, the company launched TiLite Pilot, a manual mobility solution, for kids, which can be customized as per the growth of the children.
These pieces of equipment are bought by hospitals, homecare settings, and ambulatory surgical centers (ASCs). In contemporary times, hospitals are the largest consumers of DME in Europe due to the mounting government reimbursements for those admitted to inpatient facilities. For example, the EU allows the reimbursement of medical expenses for patients admitted in public and private hospitals. This option is available only for patients who procure treatment in their home countries.
Hence, according to P&S Intelligence, Germany dominated the European durable medical equipment market in the preceding years due to the presence of a large number of hospitals in the country and the high patient footfall here. The Federal Statistical Office of Germany states that there were 1,914 hospitals in the country in 2019. Whereas, the U.K. is expected to adopt DME at the highest rate in the upcoming years owing to the surging life expectancy of people and increasing availability of technologically advanced products in the country.
Thus, the rising cases of chronic diseases and burgeoning aging population will fuel the adoption of DME in Europe.
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