One of the biggest challenges facing manufacturers of safety syringes in Europe is the lack of legislation on the use of these products in health care settings.

Till date, none of the European countries has introduced clear rules governing the usage of safety devices or making their use mandatory. Some countries such as Germany have issued broad directives but these are meant to be guidelines and leave the final decision to the discretion of the purchasing agency.

New analysis from Frost & Sullivan reveals that the European safety syringes market generated a market revenue of USD 13 million in 2003 and is projected to double by 2010.

Given that needlestick injuries amount to a staggering one million in Europe every year, and that 16 to 25 per cent of these are linked to the usage of single-use syringes, the market for safety syringes – which prevent needlestick injuries as well as discourage reuse – looks extremely promising.

“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,” comments 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.”

The Needlestick Prevention Act introduced in the United States represents the first true legislation towards mandating the use of safety engineered products in health care settings. This landmark legislation was introduced to address the growing concern of the health care industry for the safety of its employees. With the spread of blood-borne diseases such as AIDS and hepatitis, there is now, more than ever, an urgent need for safer devices that eliminate needlestick injuries.

Huge health care expenditure on drug-related infections – over USD 900 million in the case of Spain and about USD 700 million in the case of Italy – can also be potentially controlled if syringe reuse and needle sharing become difficult due to distribution of safety syringes in place of the ordinary ones.

The Needlestick Prevention Act has been instrumental in opening up a new market with considerable potential – the European market. While this market is still relatively very small, the increasing awareness of safety issues and the demands of health care workers for safer work environments are expected to help it grow significantly in the future.

Meanwhile, in the absence of specific government legislation, safety syringe manufacturers must consider supporting movements lobbying for such laws and simultaneously work at raising awareness of safety issues and the drawbacks of not using safety devices.