Blood Glucose Test Strips Market

Market Overview

The global blood glucose test strips market size was valued at USD 10.34 billion in 2022. It is estimated to reach USD 17.96 billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 6.33% during the forecast period (2023–2031). Factors such as Increasing Prevalence of Diabetes and Advancements in Test Strip Technology, significantly drives the blood glucose test strips market demand by 2031.

Blood glucose test strips are tiny, disposable strips made of plastic or paper that are used to monitor blood glucose levels and manage the symptoms of diabetes. These test strips are typically used with glucose meters, also known as glucometers, which provide a numerical assessment of the blood glucose level. They are produced from cellulose, polyolefin, polyamide, polysulfone, and other materials.

Hydrophilic, adhesive, sensor, enzyme, and electrode layers are only a few of the parts that make up a blood glucose test strip. They are also coated with glucose oxidase, an enzyme that interacts with the blood sample's glucose, indicating the individual's blood sugar level. In addition to these factors, blood glucose test strips possess practicality, affordability, and suitability for daily utilization. As a result, they aid in determining high or low blood sugar levels, tracking the success of diabetes therapy, and reducing the dangers of developing hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia.

Market Dynamics

Global Blood Glucose Test Strips Market Drivers

Increasing Prevalence of Diabetes

Some of the major risk factors that increase the prevalence of diabetes include lifestyle changes, lack of physical activity, obesity, and stress. Around 463 million individuals around the world have diabetes. According to the World Health Organization, approximately 9.3% of the world's population has diabetes. Moreover, Congressional Diabetes Caucus has established that diabetes is a leading cause of death. They have also reported that around 120 people with diabetes seek kidney treatment every 24 hours. Therefore, the high prevalence of diabetes is likely to accelerate the demand for blood glucose test strips, which will drive the global blood glucose test strips market growth.

Approvals/Launches of New Blood Glucose Test Strips

The global test strips market is growing significantly due to the growing demand for self-care/homecare devices and the prevalence of diabetes. With the increase in sales of blood glucose meters and test strips, the market offers tremendous growth opportunities for global, regional, and local players. Consequently, many vendors are strategically focusing on the development and commercial launch of BGM devices for regular blood glucose monitoring.

New test strip variants and new blood glucose monitoring devices are also launched. These test strips have not undergone technological advances like the BGM devices. New product approvals/launches and R&D activities enable vendors to expand their presence, witness high growth, and maintain their position in the market. Vendors are actively launching innovative blood glucose test strips to Vendors are currently introducing novel blood glucose test strips to penetrate and capitalize on the substantial growth opportunities within the market.

Global Blood Glucose Test Strips Market Restraint

Low Penetration of Blood Glucose Test Strips in LMICs

The utilization of blood glucose monitoring devices is one of the crucial steps in diabetic management. The majority of deaths attributed to chronic diseases occur in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The affordability of essential diagnostic instruments to monitor blood glucose levels is low in LMICs. The availability of blood glucose test strips is also low in these countries.

Blood glucose monitoring devices and test strips enable timely intervention to address the health issues of people with diabetes and prevent the development of comorbid conditions. These devices also detect hypoglycemia and facilitate insulin titration. One of the significant challenges for the global glucose test strips industry is the high cost and low availability of glucose test strips in LMICs. Therefore, the high cost of products and the increasing burden of diabetes management will adversely impact the global glucose test strips market growth.

Global Blood Glucose Test Strips Market Opportunities

Advancements in Test Strip Technology

Various technological advances have been introduced in blood glucose test strips over the past few years. The spill-resistant test strips launched by Roche are unlike the conventional blood glucose test strips as they are designed to prevent spillage and can be easily removed from SMBG devices. The test strip's new port light and the background lit display are particularly helpful for people with poor eyesight or when testing under poor lighting conditions. Once the blood sample is placed on the strip, the results get reflected on the SMBG device in less than four seconds.

Other market players are also trying to introduce advanced test strips with superior quality. For instance, India-based Achira Labs has started manufacturing glucose blood test strips from silk, costing about one-third of the existing plastic polymer test strips in the market. Likewise, MaX BT blood glucose meters and their electrode test strips can sync wirelessly with smartphones. These innovative test strips use the 2in1 MaX test strip technology and have a feature to share data through smartphones and e-mails. Such technological advancements are expected to create opportunities for market growth.

Regional Analysis

Based on region, the global blood glucose test strips market share is bifurcated into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East and Africa.

North America Dominates the Global Market

North America is the most significant global blood glucose test strips market shareholder and is anticipated to exhibit a CAGR of 4.18% during the forecast period. North America has a large diabetic patient population and a higher demand for BGM devices and blood glucose test strips. The major countries covered in the region include the US and Canada. In addition, factors such as the availability of medical reimbursement and a well-established healthcare infrastructure contribute to the region's rising demand for blood glucose test strips. North America has the highest healthcare expenditure globally, especially in the US, where healthcare spending accounts for 17.7% of the total public expenditure. In 2019, the US healthcare expenditure was USD 3.8 trillion, a 4.6% increase from the previous year. Healthcare expenditure on diabetic patients has increased over the years in the region.

Additionally, the region is expected to experience a rise in demand for blood glucose test strips due to its concentration of prominent market players. Similarly, factors such as the increasing awareness of BGM devices, high penetration rate, better product availability, and increasing availability of innovative products and well-established distribution networks will drive market growth.

Europe is estimated to exhibit a CAGR of 4.55% over the forecast period. Factors like the growing geriatric population, increasing prevalence, increasing levels of physical inactivity, and unhealthy diet contribute to the growth of the diabetic population in the region. The expanding geriatric population in Europe poses a significant challenge in reducing the prevalence of diabetes in the region. In 2019, approximately 20.3% or one-fifth of the European population was aged 65 and above. According to IDF, in 2019, the overall age-related prevalence of diabetes in Europe was around 6.3%, as 59.32 million people were affected by the disease. In addition, gestational diabetes witnessed the highest prevalence at around 16.3%. The increasing number of undiagnosed patients in the region creates pressure on the healthcare system. However, the increasing prevalence of the disease is accelerating the demand for blood glucose monitoring devices, indirectly boosting the demand for blood glucose test strips in this region.

In Asia-Pacific, the demand for blood glucose test strips is being accelerated by factors such as the expanding population and rising prevalence of diabetes. In the developing world, seven out of ten countries exhibit the highest prevalence of individuals living with diabetes. In Asia-Pacific, the large population size and rapidly increasing prevalence rate of type 2 diabetes are closely associated with migration, urbanization, and mechanization. The general awareness of SMBG devices would help control blood glucose levels in these diverse populations. The use of SMBG devices and blood glucose test strips is low in Asia-Pacific due to high illiteracy rates and lack of motivation. The high cost of SMBG devices and related consumables is another limiting factor.

The Middle East and African countries are undergoing constant lifestyle changes due to increasing industrialization, which has increased the number of diabetic patients in the region. The number of people with diabetes in the African region is expected to increase by 48% by 2030 and 145% by 2045, the highest among all regions. The Middle East and Africa have the highest diabetic prevalence of 12% among the geriatric population. In 2019, the undiagnosed population accounted for approximately 44.7%, totaling 24.5 million individuals. In addition, the increase in the target population is expected to drive the monitoring of blood glucose levels, including the demand for test strips in this region. Initiatives such as celebrating "diabetes week" and conducting free blood glucose check-up camps are expected to increase people's awareness of the benefits of blood glucose monitoring. Such factors will also turn the region into a potential market for vendors.

Segmental Analysis

The global blood glucose test strips market is segmented by technology, distribution channel, and end-user.

Based on technology, the global market is bifurcated into glucose dehydrogenase-based (GDH) test strips and glucose oxidase (GOD) test strips. 

The GDH segment dominates the global market and is projected to exhibit a CAGR of 7.07% over the forecast period. Glucose dehydrogenase (GDH) enzyme-based test strips are advanced test strips that accurately measure blood glucose levels. The GDH test strips are free from oxygen, galactose, and maltose interface, making them more precise and freer from cross-reactions with other sugars in the human blood. When a drop of blood is placed on the blood glucose test strip, the filtrate, like plasma, passes through the test strip containing enzymes, co-enzymes, mediators, and indicators. The GDH enzymes specifically react with the glucose in the blood and are least reactive with other blood sugars.

The glucose oxidase (GOD) enzyme-based test strips were initially introduced in the market for use in critical care settings, long-term care settings, and hospital outpatient care. The GOD enzyme-based test strips are compatible with SMBG devices and are preferred in critical care settings. The GDH enzyme-based test strips have the least interaction with other sugars in the blood, so they are preferred over the GOD-based test strips.

Based on distribution channels, the global market is divided into online and offline channels. 

The offline segment is the largest revenue contributor and is expected to exhibit a CAGR of 4.53% over the forecast period. Offline channels are still one of the major sales modes in developing and underdeveloped countries. The offline store segment includes hospital pharmacies, standalone pharmacies, and other pharmacies in nursing homes. Retail stores are one of the oldest distribution channels. However, due to the widespread adoption of e-commerce distribution channels, many consumers are shifting from offline to online segments. Several retail chains maintain their online shopping portals to sell their goods online, which is a major limitation for offline stores. Usually, the first purchase of a patient, post prescription from the doctor, happens through the offline channel in the market.

The online channels offer multiple patient subscription options through which they regularly supply test strips and lancets to their customers. Based on the subscription plan, these shipments contain the right quantity of blood glucose test strips required for the patient's use for either 90 days or six months. Such subscription plans allow customers to afford test strips at low prices and ensure they have access to adequate test strips. Such subscriptions also contribute to recurring revenues for vendors. In addition, the automated algorithms alert vendors to dispatch the orders as per the plans, enabling them to detect the cost automatically. These plans are considered sources of recurring revenue for global vendors, especially in developed countries.

Based on end-user, the global market is divided into individuals, hospitals and clinics, and others. 

The individual segment is the most significant contributor to the blood glucose test strips market share and is estimated to exhibit a CAGR of 7.12% over the forecast period. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the use of blood glucose monitoring devices was high, contributing to a corresponding increase in demand for blood glucose test strips. The COVID-19 patients were asked to use separate glucose monitoring devices to prevent the transmission of the virus. Therefore, diabetic patients had to purchase separate BGM devices and blood glucose test strips for personal use. Usually, the left-over test strips of one patient are used by other patients, which was avoided during the COVID-19 pandemic. Similarly, most diabetic patients prefer a personal set of blood glucose test strips, which has increased the glucose test strips in the market demand.

Blood glucose monitoring in hospitalized patients requires accurate measurement of blood glucose levels. In the past decade, point-of-care blood glucose devices have been widely used in hospitals. The fluctuating blood glucose levels are a major complication in intensive care units. No blood glucose devices were previously approved for use in critical care units. StatStrip glucose hospital meter system by Nova Biomedical was the first blood glucose monitoring system approved by the FDA for use in all hospitals and professional healthcare settings, including intensive care units.

Recent Developments

• February 2023- Afon Technology announced that the Afon Blood Glucose Sensor had been granted a target launch date, which is likely good news for the millions of people with diabetes who currently rely on unpleasant finger-sticking techniques. The Afon Blood Glucose Sensor delivers continuous blood sugar level monitoring and can be utilized with a wearable device.
• May 2023- Universal Biosensors, a developer of electrochemical tests, introduced its Petrackr diabetes monitoring device for cats and dogs. The product consists of a device, disposable test strips to collect a small blood sample, and a hand-held monitor that manages multiple pet profiles to precisely track, monitor, and share a pet's blood glucose results.