| By the end of the 2030, world population is expected to reach about 8 bln. With this growing population, demand management would be a daunting challenge. While doing that, innovations and new developments will focus on enhanced life expectancy. Polymers will play a key role enabling the substitution for human blood, muscles and body parts. Emphasis will be on the theory of ‘Preventing-Extending’- human life span can be extended through new models of medicine which can include stem cell therapies, gene based therapies, molecular-nanotechnology etc. All these innovations and developments will need specialised and appropriate materials. Mr. Ray Hammonds, renowned futurologist, in his report on ‘The World in 2030’ predicts that Plastics would demonstrate the sustainable value of plastic as a material of 21st century material while ensuring health and well being of human life. By 2012 healthcare industry is to account for 6-8% of GDP and provide direct or indirect employment to 8 mln people. By 2030, it is projected that 1 billion people would be above 65 years and their need for prevention, early detection and treatment of diseases would be critical. Why Plastics? Plastics offer a very wide variety of materials ranging from soft to hard and tough as well as bio-stable and biodegradable materials. Plastics are an ideal class of materials which cover large application areas in health and healthcare due to their lightweight, bio-compatibility, non-corrosive nature, chemical inertness, low cost and comparable densities with that of human organs. In some cases, they may contain additives or reinforcing agents to modify and/or enhance properties. Plastics used in medical applications must adhere to very rigid National and International standards, and must be non toxic, non-carcinogenic, biocompatible and in no way injurious to the biological environment. Global Market for Plastics in Healthcare Industry Global market of plastics is 175 mln tpa. Market share of plastic in Healthcare sector is only 1% (1.87 mln tpa) out of which Commodity plastics like PP, PVC, PE contribute 74%. Indian Healthcare sector is estimated at US$38 bln, expected to reach US$77 bln by 2013. In the next 15 years it will grow at 15% CAGR. Healthcare Industry in India accounted for 5.1% of the country’s GDP in 2006. Expenditure on Private Healthcare increased by 227% to US$33.6 bln in 2010. Share of Private Expenditure as a % of total expenditure increased from 60% to 80%. Healthcare spending could contribute to 8% of GDP and is expected to employ around 9 million people by 2012. Applications of Plastics in Healthcare Plastic not only helps in facilitating diagnosis and treatment by way of natural data access, safer surgery through plastic robots, targeting treatment but also helps in making effective and life-like prostheses for joints, muscles, organs and blood. Some of the applications are listed below:
Plastics can be classified into three categories based on the usage, these include: Medical Devices: A medical device is a product which is used for medical purposes in patients- in diagnosis, therapy or surgery. If applied to the body, the effect of the medical device is primarily physical in contrast to pharmaceutical drugs, which exert a biochemical effect. Medical devices include a wide range of products varying in complexity and application. Examples include tongue depressors, medical thermometers, blood sugar meters, total artificial hearts, fibrin scaffolds, stents and X-ray machines. Global medical device industry is expected to reach US$150 bln in 2012 from today’s US$200 bln, growing at 12%. USA totals 45-47% of the world’s consumption. Implants: Implant is an exciting treatment alternative that allows to treat an edentulous space or a missing tooth with an almost equivalent restoration in terms of function, strength and aesthetic. The global dental implants market is expected to grow from US$2.9 bln in 2009 to US$4 bln in 2014 at a CAGR of 6.04%. According to the global authority on medical technology market intelligence, global spinal implant market, including the US, Europe, and Asia Pacific, was valued at over US$5 bln in 2008 and will grow to over US$7.5 bln in 2013. Disposables: Medical disposable (also called disposable product) is a product designed for low cost and short-term convenience, intended for single use only rather than medium to long-term durability. Worldwide, the medical disposable market demand for plastic is to have a combined annual growth rate for injection moulded products ranging from 4-5.5% from 2006-2011. The European Union (EU) market is the second largest market for medical devices and disposables. It has a market share of 30% which is only second to US which has a share of 45% of the total world market. In Indian Medical disposable device segment, the domestic production is bound to increase in the coming future, but imported high end goods will constitute the majority of sales. India is the fourth largest market in the Asia Pacific region, but behind Japan, China and South Korea, with regards to healthcare and pharmaceuticals. Contract manufacturers specialised in medical products are responsible for the growth in demand for medical disposables such as syringes and intravenous devices. Some facts about medical disposables: • The Global medical non woven disposables market to reach US$12 bln in 2010. • The global market for pre-filled syringes is expected to grow by 8.7% CAGR 2006- 2016. In 2008, 1.5 bln syringes worldwide were sold. • The market for medical gloves is growing at 7% annually. The major factors contributing to the growth are hospital admissions and also ageing population. Plastic usage in Indian Healthcare industry will grow by 15% pa for the next 5-6 years. Various market segments like medical and dental surgical equipments, implants and medical plastics disposable industry is on an expansion mode. To illustrate, the details of Plastic consumption scenriro in plastic syringe industry is as follows:
Development of Blood bag, significance of Plastics Science of Blood Circulation was discovered by William Harvey in 1628 and Blood Groups was discovered by Karl Landsteiner in 1901. It took Plastics to make use of the above discoveries for the benefit of Humanity by making storage and transfusion of blood possible. Key Features • Clarity • Strength • Ability to withstand temperatures as low as -40°C • Withstanding temperature of temperature as high as 121°C with sterilisation with steam, ETO and gamma radiation • Possibility of welding with high frequency for making complex shapes and various attachments Some of the successful case studies of Usage of Plastics in Healthcare segment in India: • Artificial Limbs also known as Jaipur Foot: Artificial walking aids or limbs and Prosthetic fitting, indigenously developed by Dr. P.K. Sethi & R.C. Sharma, are plastic based assistive devices like a socket or cosmetic covers. Major advantages are that they are lightweight, inexpensive, long-lasting, easy to process, versatile and recyclable. Plastics make physical rehabilitation services more affordable & accessible. • UHMPWE: A material of choice for knee, hip joints replacement. Major attributes of such materials are body compatibility, low coefficient of friction, self-lubricating, high impact strength, corrosion and abrasion resistant and inert in nature. Today, India is a hub for Knee replacement. • Anti-Polio drive: Vaccination drive against polio started in 1978. Every child below the age of 1 year is given at least 3 doses of oral poliovirus vaccine (OPV). Additional OPV doses are administered to every child below 5 years at intervals of 4-6 weeks. Plastic containers provide a secure environment for the OPV’s. From storages vials to kits, plastics played major role in the success of APD • Diabetes: There were about 40 mln diabetics in India in 2007 and the number is expected to reach 70 mn by 2025. Plastic Disposable syringes make life easier as they have no clinical or bacteriological evidence of infection. It is cheaper and lighter than glass syringes and can be more easily carried on journeys. There is also no need for sterilisation. In India itself around 3 billion syringes are manufactured annually. They are available in sterilised conditions, are ready to use and are also cost effective. • Pathology Services and Imaging : There is a US$500 mln pathology industry which is growing at CAGR of 20%. Molecular diagnostic and pharmacogenomic testing will be the growth drivers of this industry. 2 million patients are expected for clinical trials in India which means 20 million tests will done. Indian health imaging market is expected to double from existing US$350 mln by 2012. Global Trends The Global Healthcare sector has historically been fairly resilient to recessions, but it is not ‘recession proof’. The long-term prospects for the sector are good, as strong growth in emerging markets, an ageing population and growing levels of lifestyle-related chronic diseases in the developed world drive demand. However, the industry dynamics are fundamentally changing. Some of the trends are: • Move from glass to plastics • Plastic Robot with no metal or electrical parts for surgeries. • Nano/Smart materials • Shift of healthcare away from hospitals • OEM’s/Manufacturers looking at plastics to deliver in consumer and less skilled environment • Increasing demand for clean room manufacture When it comes to latest in materials, plastics is the material which has made a successful foray into the Indian Healthcare market. Plastics and Waste Management In the healthcare segment as far as plastic waste is concerned, 80% is the regular household waste and only 15-20% is healthcare waste which is infectious. This waste, though produced in small quantity is highly infectious to health workers, waste handlers and the community at large. Incinerators are being used to dispose off this waste while in less developed and traditional countries incinerators are being used on a smaller scale. The latest trend is putting a thrust on some plastics to be used for production and recycling. Efforts are being put into research and promotion on new technology or alternate to small-scale incineration. Plastics have made our lives convenient. Many modern medical devices and modern medical practices would be impossible without Plastics. Plastics have reduced contamination, relieved pain and cut medical costs. Authors: Dr. U.K.Saroop-VP (Business Development) and Vasudev Deshpande-Manager (Business Development), Reliance Industries Limited, Mumbai |