With a view to eliminate the hazards caused by polymer coated surgical gloves, JK Ansell- a company that provides barrier protection devices to healthcare professionals has introduced the concept of powder free surgical gloves in India. Raelene Kambli finds out more about the product and the market for such products in Indian healthcare sector, in a conversation with Ranjukumar Mohan, Director & Business Head, JK Ansell
What is the market for powder free gloves in India? How does it fare vis-a-vis the global market?What are the growth opportunities for India in this segment?
| Ranjukumar Mohan |
The Indian market for medical gloves is still evolving. While the global market is growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of two per cent, the Indian market is at seven per cent growth. Every day there is a new hospital or nursing home popping up in India, so the demand for medical gloves is expected to increase. Thus India is indeed an integral part of the global medical gloves industry growth, if not in value terms, but definitely in volumes. This could be attributed to increasing awareness on barrier protection and medico-legal compliance encouraging institutions to go for better barrier protection. Medical tourism is also driving growth of this product category in our country. The market size therefore for surgical gloves in India is Rs 300 crore and this financial year this figure is slated for a growth of 45 per cent, contributing to six per cent of Ansell’s EMEA medical sales. The market for powder free gloves in India is not more than 15 per cent of total market size and this is primarily developed, dominated and driven by JK Ansell.
What is powder-free glove? What are the benefits? Can powder free gloves help in reducing infections within hospitals? How are they better from existing surgical gloves?
Traditionally powder is used as a donning agent in medical gloves, but it brings with it a range of health hazards. Therefore, a new technology was invented to tide over this menace through polymer coated glove, which requires no powder for donning comfort. Powder free gloves offer a whole host of benefits, primarily they prevent multiple direct and indirect compromises to quality and safe healthcare. GAMMEX PF is a latex powder free gamma sterilised surgical glove unlike ethylene oxide sterilisation of other Indian surgical glove brands. It provides excellent donning and comfort through the use of a unique water-based polyurethane coating allowing for both wet and dry donning. This feature facilitates comfortable double donning and intra operative glove changes. It especially reduces thumb ball effect, and combined with Ansell’s soft latex formulation it ensures extended comfort and less hand fatigue. GAMMEX PF has a textured finger and palm, yet a smooth back providing excellent grip and easy double donning.
GAMMEX PF has set international benchmarks in the protection device domain with its design and latex formulation being unique to this product. These gloves are thinner at the palm and fingers as compared to other surgical gloves thus enhancing sensitivity for the user. The gloves are also skin-friendly as they have reduced chemical residues free of thiurams and MBT (mercaptobenzothiazoles). PV100 accelerator is completely consumed during the processing stages, leaving no detectable chemical accelerator residue – thereby reducing the risk of contact dermatitis. The mild textured finish of the gloves allow secure handling of instruments in wet and dry conditions.
What is the market scenario for latex powder free medical gloves in the global as well as Indian healthcare market?
The total world market for latex medical gloves – powdered vs powder-free is expected to grow to $1.96 billion by 2016. The powdered gloves market is expected to decline by a CAGR of 3.6 per cent and powder free gloves are expected to grow by CAGR of 3.1 per cent by 2016. The respective growth and decline rates shall be steeper in the Indian context as we’re predominantly a latex powdered glove market. In the global context, especially developed markets, powder free gloves represent around 82 per cent of the market whereas it’s retrograde in India where powdered gloves represent more than 85 per cent of the market.
Tell us about JK Ansell’s contributions in this segment?
In 2000, the company commenced selling and distributing a wide range of high-end medical gloves. These medical gloves not only protect the healthcare worker from potentially infectious substances but also protect patients from cross contamination. With a 75 per cent market share in the premium powdered gloves segment and a significant presence in other segments, the company is the first to promote the powder free concept. The gloves are sold to major hospitals and nursing homes as well as glove retailing chemist outlets.
What are the company’s plan for India? Are there any major investment plans in the pipeline?
We have a rich pipeline of latex free surgical gloves followed by first of its kind anti microbial surgical gloves. The plan is to expand by introducing new product categories and expanding our distribution network to Tier-II and III cities. We’ve new product segments like safety devices and active infection prevention equipment which also hold promising potential in India.