The ubiquity of haematology tests in routine diagnostics and monitoring coupled with the rising proportion of elderly people undergoing such tests is expected to sustain growth
With a majority of haematology diagnostics tests having been in existence for over a decade, the scope for market expansion would appear constrained.
However, the ubiquity of haematology tests in routine diagnostics and monitoring coupled with the rising proportion of elderly people undergoing such tests is expected to sustain growth.
Escalating uptake of newer, more expensive laboratory-based and rising adoption of haemoglobin (Hb) testing on the point of care (POC) format are forecast to further augment revenues.
The basic blood test, traditionally based on the complete blood count (CBC), has and continues to be fundamental to routine screening.
With CBC anticipated to remain among the most commonly prescribed tests, large volume sales of haematology tests and reagents are expected to persist.
However, high quality, functionally advanced systems with enhanced capabilities are energising the market.
Novel analysers offer improved diagnosis due to their greater reliability, automation and sensitivity.
"Moreover, the modern haematology analyser may provide the capability of testing more recently introduced parameters, such as newer varioations of reticulocytes and platelets, which may not have been offered on the test panel of older instruments," says Alex Wong, healthcare analyst at Frost and Sullivan.
These tests are significantly costlier than the more conventional assays based on the CBC.
The expanding use of such higher priced parameters in combination with CBC + leucocyte differential analysis, which is assay is gradually supplanting CBC stand-alone tests, is expected to bolster market revenues.
However, tightening budgetary controls are likely to deter the ordering of costlier tests in the short term.
This situation will be compounded by the fact that the main haematology marker used in POC tests - haemoglobin - is already offered as part of a larger test panel currently performed on automated blood-gas analysers installed in hospitals, hence the preference will be to conduct most tests within the laboratory. Despite these restraining trends, the European haematology diagnostics market is well positioned to deflect its imminent decline.
It is projected to surge from approximately $600 million in 2002 to over $750 million by 2009.
Not surprisingly, the laboratory is forecast to remain the principal testing arena for haematology diagnostics, widening its test locations to include smaller laboratories, alternate sites within the hospital and primary care facilities.
This market will continue to be dominated by the big five, with Beckman Coulter the number one player for now.
However, a concerted focus on haematology, continuing R and D efforts and innovative products are likely to give Sysmex and ABX the competitive edge in future.
In the smaller POC Hb test market, Hemocue is expected to maintain its monopoly.
For all these competitors, fears of a prospective market decline are gradually abating.
The growing use of costly new assays and the essential role haematology diagnostics play in routine screening and monitoring will drive market resurgence while steadily boosting revenues.
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