Rise in Diabetes Cases Fuels Growth in Thailand's SMBG Devices Market, Finds Frost & Sullivan

Nov. 22, 2010 - PRLog -- The Thai SMBG devices and strips market has grown steadily as sales of blood glucose meters (BGM) and strips required for self-monitoring witnessed exponential growth, particularly during the last five years. The estimated national prevalence of diabetes in Thai adults is around 9.6 percent and with an incidence rate of 4.8 percent. Self-monitoring is fast becoming an important part of diabetes management.

According to the National Survey of the Welfare of the Elderly in Thailand, prevalence of diabetes mellitus in the urban areas is 11.0 percent among males and 12.7 percent among females. In the rural areas, prevalence among males is 2.3 percent while among females it is 4.6 percent. Although diabetes is common in Thailand, most cases remain undiagnosed, especially in the rural provinces.

New analysis from Frost & Sullivan (http://www.medicaldevices.frost.com), Thai Self-monitoring of Blood Glucose (SMBG) Devices and Strips Market, finds that the Thai SMBG market earned revenues of over USD 45.7million in 2009 and is estimated to reach USD 141.3 million by 2016, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17.5 percent. The study segments the market into hospital (strips for public and private) and retail (meters and strips for independent and chain outlets).

“The market is mainly driven by the efforts of the government to increase public awareness on diabetes and diabetes management, through frequent screenings and educational activities for the public,” says Frost & Sullivan Industry Analyst, Jennifer Lau.

Lau further comments, “The Ministry of Public Health regularly provides general health checks and screening for diabetes and hypertension at the community medical units to detect cases earlier in disease stages.”

The International Diabetes Federation has revealed that diabetes is becoming alarmingly rampant, with figures of those afflicted with the disease reaching a staggering 185.5 million in 2009 globally. Asia Pacific was considered the worst, with 76.5 million people affected by this chronic disease. Increase of this chronic disease is caused due to rapid changes in lifestyle, particularly within the rising mid- to high-income level groups.

“It has been noted that the public health service is the primary driver for the adoption of self monitoring in diabetes management. In addition, the 30 Baht Health Care Scheme has allowed more diabetes patients to seek treatment and management of their disease condition” says Lau

Although the prospects for the market appear bright, there are some challenges moving forward. Awareness of diabetes remains low, especially in the rural areas. This makes it difficult to promote self-monitoring among patients as part of diabetes management.

Apart from this, budgets are limited for small hospitals, particularly in rural areas. Patients are also price-sensitive with regard to strips thereby resulting in reduction in number of tests taken.

Manufacturers in the SMBG devices and strips market must implement promotional activities to enhance product information and outreach efforts. This can be enabled by offering discounted price for meters, free strips with meters purchased, and giveaway gifts for strips procured in bulk. Health screening must be intensified to enable early detection of the disease. The Thai Government must unleash strategies to ramp up awareness levels of the disease, particularly targeting rural areas.

If you are interested in more information on this study, please send an e-mail to Nicklaus Au, Corporate Communications, at nicklaus.au@frost.com, with your full name, company name, title, telephone number, company e-mail address, company website, city, state and country.

Thai Self-monitoring of Blood Glucose (SMBG) Devices and Strips Market is part of the Medical Devices Growth Partnership Services program, which also includes research in the following markets: Hong Kong SMBG Devices and Strips Market, Endoscope and Surgical Products in the Vietnam Market, Taiwanese SMBG Devices and Strips Market, Malaysian SMBG Devices and Strip Market, among others. All research services included in subscriptions provide detailed market opportunities and industry trends that have been evaluated following extensive interviews with market participants.

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