Growth Seen for European POC Coagulation Testing

The point-of-care (POC) testing market in Europe will grow from 140 million euros in 2003 to more than 350 million euros in 2009, according to a new analysis from international consultants Frost & Sullivan (London, UK). This figure includes near-testing and self-testing devices. The growth is being fostered by the clinical results and the lower costs of an increasing number of outpatient anticoagulation clinics.

POC coagulation analyzers are gaining preference in the critical care, surgery, and home testing environments, since they provide rapid and accurate information for improved patient monitoring. Coagulation testing looks at endpoint measurements between bleeding and clotting, and the new technologic developments are expected to allow a comprehensive assessment of the complex interactions between various blood clotting factors.

"The biggest advantage of POC testing is the decrease in turn-around time because most POC analyses are performed on whole blood, minimizing any transport and logistic handovers that normally occur within laboratory testing,” explained Shree Viswadia, a research analyst with Frost & Sullivan.

Market concerns include slow implementation of insurance reimbursement and the development of new thrombin inhibitor drugs that could gradually eliminate the need for routine testing. Nonetheless, POC testing is finding increasing acceptance across Europe, with Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom having the largest number of users.




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