After Doctor Infects Kids With HIV, Pre-filled Syringes Gain Popularity

The global pre-filled syringe market is set to expand by 12 percent annually over the next decade because of rising risk of HIV and hepatitis contraction through used needles.

Whether on accident or as a result of crime, the use of used syringes has added to the confirmed cases of HIV and hepatitis. For example, a doctor in Pakistan used HIV-infected needles on around 900 healthy children under 12, with hundreds becoming infected.

It is also estimated that nearly 385,000 health care workers accidentally re-use needles every year.

The study also showed that companies like Becton, Dickinson and Company invested nearly $1 billion in 2020 toward the manufacturing of pre-filled syringes due to the growth in demand.

However, low quality of material for the syringes and improper transportation might result in damaged syringes and leaks of the contained drugs. Bent needles, punctured rubber seals or plungers, and broken glass syringes are also likely to hinder the market’s growth.

The rise in demand is also attributed to diabetes, multiple sclerosis, anaphylaxis, cancer, and other treatments. Diabetes is anticipated to hold the largest market size by the end of 2033.

The study was broken up regionally to cover the five major market regions including North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America and the Middle East/Africa region. Due to the rising investment in injectable pharmaceuticals, the European market is project to be the largest for pre-filled syringes by the end of 2033.