Prefilled Syringe Market

Market Overview

The global prefilled syringe market was valued at USD 5,120 million in 2019 and is expected to grow at a 9.2% CAGR during the forecast study period 2020 – 2029.

Prefilled syringes are medical syringes filled with a single dosage of vaccine or therapeutic molecules to which a needle is already attached by the manufacturer. Conventionally, metal or glass syringes have been popularly used, but lately, there has been an increasing interest in plastic and disposable syringes to achieve higher sterilization and prevent reuse. This has stimulated the market in the medical sector for compact and safe prefilled syringes over traditional glass vials for parental drug packaging and delivery.

Pre-filled syringes are increasingly replacing conventional syringe-vial combinations due to the advantages they provide, such as improved patient protection and flexibility in dosage preparation and delivery for healthcare practitioners. The growing interest of end-users for the usage of prefilled syringes which are powered by technological advancements in auto-injectors are the key drivers fuelling the market. Prefilled syringes are being rapidly adopted and used to package drugs and diluents as an accurate and easy-injectable means. Some of the categories of drugs packaged in prefilled syringes are vaccines, blood stimulants, therapeutic proteins, erythropoietin, interferons, and rheumatoid arthritis.

Market Dynamics

Significant Advantages over the Traditional Method; Growing Public Awareness

The usage of the prefilled syringe has risen because of the significant disadvantages in the traditional methods. The benefits of prefilled syringes include ease of use, it helps eliminates dosing errors because prefilled syringes contain the exact dose. It has been noticed that many pharmaceuticals manufacturers use the technique of overfilling the storage vials to make sure the end-user is guaranteed the dosage required. However, more ironically, this overfill can cause a rise in the pricing of the vials and many more fatal errors. This is greatly beneficial with the surfacing of more costly biotech drugs, as it means less waste and cost-effectiveness, particularly with vaccines that are either in short supply or are very costly.

Prefilled syringes make it simple, precise, and safe for both patients and doctors to inject. There exists no fear among the patients to self-introduce the drug into the body or ask anyone irrespective of their profession to medical practices. Further, there is a concern of Safety measures to eliminate needlestick injuries are a major concern in the healthcare industry. The safety systems are very costly, and the safety system providers are continuously researching to develop low-cost alternatives.

Pre-filled syringes have emerged as one of the fastest-growing choices for unit dose medication, as the pharmaceutical industry seeks new, cost-efficient, and more convenient drug delivery methods boosting the market to great extent.

Growth in the Prefilled Syringes Market Is Also Driven by the Product Innovations for Prefilled Syringes and Support from Pharmaceutical Companies and Government Policies

The growth in the market is attributed to the growing prevalence of chronic diseases, technological advancements, and supportive government regulations. Therefore, prefilled syringe market leaders have had to respond to increasing demand, new technological requirements, and more sophisticated forms of drug delivery. As of result, new products are being put in syringes now. Moreover, these syringes are thoroughly verified by the pharmaceutical good manufacturing practices (GMP) guidelines, and the manufacturing process is performed in compliance with the cGMP requirements making them further safe.

For instance, West Pharmaceutical Services Inc. has launched a product calledSmartDose technology that comprises a silicone-free Daikyo Crystal Zenith cartridge and a Flurotec coated piston containment system that ensures the self-administering property of medication for the prescribed treatment. Additionally, promote awareness on the benefits of prefilled syringes among patients and healthcare practitioners, along with the growing interest of biologics and biosimilars companies, is supporting the growth of the prefilled syringes market.

Regional Analysis

The regional analysis has been made considering the trends of the prefilled syringes market, in the regions of North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Central, and South America and the Caribbean, the Middle East, and Africa

Europe Is Currently Dominating the Global Market Owing to the Growing Demand for Prefilled Syringes

The European market for prefilled syringes has seen healthy growth in recent years as the pharmaceutical industry has grown and become more sophisticated. Further, the presence of major market players in the region is forecasted to get a home-state advantage to the region and help boost the market growth. The market is further fueled by support and promotion from government authorities.

The European Board of Anesthesiology, recommends the use of prefilled syringes for anesthesia in case of any surgical procedures. Faster approval for use of these products by various regulatory authorities also plays an important factor that helps the European regional market to dominate.

Asia-Pacific Countries to Garner a Boost in the Global Market

It is expected that the prefilled syringes market in the APAC countries will experience the highest growth, during the forecast period. This is mainly due to the increasing technological advancements, more innovations, and increased demand for injectable drugs for the treatment of chronic and lifestyle-related diseases in India, China, and other countries.

Further, the rapidly growing patient volume suffering from lifestyle disorders like diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, cardiac diseases, and others, in these nations due to unhealthy lifestyle and stress is another reason for the growth of the market in these regions. Also, a number of key players are targeting developing countries to further promote market growth.

For instance, Becton, Dickinson, and Company a U.S.-based company introduced Neopak and Uniject SCF (sterile, clean, and ready to fill) prefilled syringes in the Indian market to expand its market reach and promote the adoption of prefilled syringes in the country.

Segmental Analysis

Glass Prefilled Syringes Is the Largest Material Segment of the Prefilled Syringes Market

The glass prefilled syringes segment can be accounted for the largest share of the prefilled syringes global market. The large share of this segment is because of the significant benefits offered, such as prevention of damage from oxygen and water by interacting with the drug, compatibility with different filling machines at industries, and other technical integration features. The market for glass prefilled syringes will keep growing at a healthy pace in the forecast period.

Another key factor driving the glass prefilled syringes market further is that these products with glass syringes provide reusability and lower cost primarily which plays a major role in increased adoption of prefilled syringes in the developing regions specifically.

Although the plastic prefilled syringes segment is expected to grow in the forecast period, attributed to a number of factors like inertness offered by plastic-based products is the major factor driving the segment’s growth. In addition, plastic prefilled syringes reduce the overall cost of the dose, which is a major factor in the developing nations and lower cost is also very likely to fuel their demand.

Diabetes Captured the Largest Market Share by Application

The growing prevalence of the disease is a major lifestyle disorder in both developed and developing nations. According to the International Diabetes Federation in 2019, approximately 436 million adults were suffering from diabetes, and it is expected to rise by fold during the forecast period. Moreover, more than 1.1 million children and adolescents are living with type 1 diabetes. Thus, the need for effective and safer insulin delivery devices are the factors promoting segment development.

Most of the commercial insulin is injectable in nature and with growing public awareness and the most important mode of convenience, prefilled syringes have seen a major boost in the diabetes segment. Further, as more people opting for home-based care, these prefilled syringes that can be self-administered are a major choice as a mode of administration for the pharma companies.

Recent Developments

• In 2019, Hikma PharmaceuticalsPLC, a multinational pharmaceutical company, launched a new prefilled syringe capability, for Heparin Sodium Injections, in the US through its affiliate, Hikma Pharmaceuticals USA Inc.
• In January 2019, Schott AG, a pharmaceutical packaging company, launched a customizable prefilled syringe in India.