Driven by Steadily Growing Demand, Asian blood Banks are Expected to Adopt Automation and Advanced Technology

Singapore (PRWEB) July 2, 2008 -- Health care demand and infrastructure continue to grow in established and emerging markets in the Asia-Pacific. Blood banking equipment has evolved into a major growth segment in the region, across sub-segments spanning the blood value chain - collection, processing, testing and storage.

The developing markets of China, India and South East Asia are increasingly attractive markets as they bring forth new facilities, and encourage existing blood banks to improve capacity and to raise their standards in collecting, processing and storing blood.

Presently, over 60% of blood banks in these developing markets use manual blood typing and screening processes. Clearstate's studies have shown a fast developing need for efficiency and accuracy, driving a rapid shift towards automation. Within five years, 3 in 4 facilities are expected to be using automated analyzers.

According to Mr. Wilson Tan, Clearstate's Principal Consultant "Around 70% of the blood banks presently using manual technologies, Clearstate projects automated technologies to penetrate 75% of the blood banks within five years"

Particularly in emerging markets, there is plenty of room for technology upgrades at blood banks in the region. For instance, most blood banks in India continue to use manual technology, particularly to conduct blood screening and typing tests. Across the developing markets in Asia Pacific, most blood banks continue to use traditional tube technology. An estimated 80% of blood banks continue to store and process whole blood, and even among medium- and large-sized blood banks, one-third of all blood samples is not used in component therapy.

As automation picks up, LISS's share is projected to fall by nearly 15 percentage points, to be replaced mostly by the faster, more accurate column agglutination technology. Large private and charitable blood banks like the Red Cross are expected to lead automation, to avail the twin advantages of higher throughput and greater accuracy. Public facilities will benefit from government efforts to expand provision, mainly in rural and under-served areas.

As blood banks across the region strive to increase the quantity and quality of blood, automated blood processing as well as collection systems will experience strong growth. Most facilities are already aware of new technologies, and open to exploring their use. As with other types of medical equipment, key barriers to adoption of new technology remain lack of skilled medical personnel, high costs, and in some markets, heavy duties levied on imported equipment.

ABOUT CLEARSTATE

Clearstate, a niche healthcare consultancy, offers strategic advisory and intelligence services to help medical devices, healthcare services, pharmaceutical and biotechnology firms understand their current and potential markets, implement pragmatic and innovative strategies to ultimately tap into new growth opportunities. Our approach to engagements is centered on thorough analysis of fact-based intelligence and seasoned understanding of markets, practical strategy recommendations and implementations. We deliver actual, up-to-date placement, usage and consumption data for devices, equipment and consumables found in healthcare and commercial settings across Asia Pacific.

For more information, please visit Clearstate at www.clearstate.com or call +65 63035030.

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