Study: Demand for dressings to grow

SAN JOSE, Calif. - As the U.S. population ages, demand will continue to rise for advanced dressings used to treat chronic wounds, such as pressure ulcers, venous stasis ulcers, and diabetic ulcers, according to a new report by Frost & Sullivan. Moist wound dressings, which facilitate natural healing in a cost- effective manner, will increasingly be the choice of doctors for many of their elderly patients. New analysis from Frost & Sullivan (http://www.healthcare.frost.com/ ), U.S. Advanced Moist Wound Dressing Markets, reveals that this industry generated revenues totaling $288.5 million in 2001. Already the largest segment of the total wound dressing market, it is expected to continue steady growth in the foreseeable future. Demand for alginate, hydrocolloid, transparent film, foam, and hydrogel dressings could boost total market revenues to $523 million in 2008. Product innovation should continue to be a strong stimulus to increased adoption. "A strong focus on product innovation is expected to continue among market participants," says Frost & Sullivan Research Analyst Radu Cautis. "Companies are developing hybrids that transcend current categories and introducing products with improved functionality. "In the past, innovation in shapes that addressed special wound locations, such as the sacrum or the heel, increased the probability of healing and made dressing application easier for the clinician," says Cautis. "Currently, product innovation is focused on creation of hybrid dressings, such as hydrocolloid/foam and alginate/collagen, which combine features such as better visibility, exudate management and structural support." HME