Abstract
Increasing Levels of Diabetes Awareness in Europe offer a Growing Market for Diabetes
Diagnostic Monitoring Systems
In line with global trends, diabetes has become a multibillion-dollar industry in Europe. Type 2
diabetes alone contributes to an annual economic cost of ?29 billion between Belgium, France,
Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom. Increasing levels of diabetes
awareness among patients, physicians and healthcare professionals has given rise to a market for a
variety of devices designed to precisely monitor glucose while easing the burden of frequent blood
tests. Traditionally, urine testing has been the only method for gauging blood glucose levels in the
patients system. However, owing to its imprecise nature and inability to detect low blood glucose
levels, there is a growing demand for portable glucose meters that are compact, user-friendly and
efficiently accurate.
This Frost & Sullivan research service covers the European diabetes diagnostics market. The
study focuses on market dynamics, current market drivers and provides forecasts for emerging trends.
It also looks at the industry challenges and potential threats and makes strategic recommendations
for boosting market share.
Point-of-Care Testing is the Largest Profit Making Segment in the Market
Early detection of diabetes is very important in managing the disease. Vast technological
improvements in the point-of-care (PoC) technology have made PoC testing an easy approach to the
conventional monitoring techniques, since it provides quick and simple results. With the increasing
complexity of data and analysis interpretation, PoC testing is expected to play a key role in the
fight against diabetes and will dominate the market over clinical diagnostics. The clinical
diagnostic segment has seen numerous consolidations of laboratories and industry participants. This
has meant that the same numbers of patients are now sampled by fewer laboratories, thus increasing
business per customer and allowing laboratories to negotiate better deals from suppliers.
The level of PoC and laboratory testing will vary little over the next several years. However,
the use of glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) testing is expected to rise slightly as general practitioner
surgeries, healthcare and outpatient clinics and small hospital-based laboratories more readily
adopt this technology. "A large part of HbA1c testing is being transferred to outsourced
service providers or reference laboratories, where tests are being processed at prices far cheaper
than hospital-based laboratories," notes the analyst.
Anticipating Customer Needs and Improving Diagnostic Technology will Drive Future Growth
The European diabetes diagnostic market has reached a mature stage and this is likely to limit
profitability. Manufacturers will have to identify the customers unmet needs and develop competent
technologies that focus on dedicated systems to improve cost efficiency and profitability. Despite
increasing the levels of diabetes awareness, at least one-third of the people with diabetes are
unaware of their condition. While this highlights a vast market for diagnostic equipment, patients
and potential patients need to be educated to encourage the use of testing and monitoring as part of
regular physical examinations.
"Though conventional blood testing, which is mainly conducted through PoC products
(hand-held, desktop and laboratory) remains the gold standard in glucose monitoring, todays
pinprick meters do faster tests, using lesser blood sample quantities than possible before,"
says the analyst. "However, challenges still remain for more patient-friendly screening and
treatments that can gather a wealth of data for diabetes management and information." The
future of diabetes care is clustered with non-invasive devices and technologies that make glucose
regulation far more accurate and easier to manage. | 
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