Manufacturers Call for Legislation

In Europe, there are approximately one million needlestick injuries every year, of which 16-25% are linked to the usage of single-use syringes. Therefore, it could be argued that the market for safety syringes looks promising - they would not only prevent such injuries, but would also discourage reuse. According to analysis from Frost & Sullivan, the European safety syringe market generated a revenue of $13 million in 2003, a figure projected to double by 2010. However, manufacturers of such devices are claiming that the lack of legislation on the use of these products in healthcare environments is proving to be challenging.

"A legislation that is sympathetic to the problems faced by the number of needlestick injuries occurring in Europe and the hazards of infection by over 20 pathogens that health workers face is needed," commented Frost & Sullivan research analyst Kavitha Ravikumar. "This will not only be socially lauded, but also act as an effective driver to the safety syringes market."

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