US demand for disposable medical supplies is forecast to increase 4.3 percent annually to $46.7 billion in 2016, according to a new report from The Freedonia Group, Cleveland, OH.

Growth will be promoted by an expanding volume of patient care activity spurred by aging demographic patterns, a rising incidence of diseases and disorders, and the extension of health insurance coverage by the Affordable Care Act of 2010 (if left unmodified and phased in according to schedule).

Demand for wound management supplies will reach $10.1 billion in 2016. Tissue sealants composed of polymers and bioengineered substances, along with alginate, foam, collagen and growth factor wound dressings, will post the fastest gains based on safe and effective healing properties.

Class IV surgical drapes and gowns will net the strongest sales gains among nonwoven medical textiles as infection prevention safeguards are upgraded by hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers. Disposable face masks will also fare well in the marketplace, benefiting from routine use by medical providers in direct contact patient procedures. Among other disposable medical supplies, blood glucose test strips—along with surgical, diagnostic and urinary catheters—will realize the fastest growth in demand. An expanding number of diabetics engaging in self-testing will boost sales of blood glucose test strips.

In a separate report, Freedonia predicts global demand for filters will increase a healthy 7.6 percent annually to $65.9 billion in 2015. This growth rate is an acceleration from the gains of the 2005-2010 period, reflecting in part the reduced 2010 bases of the developed countries.

Economic recovery in several key markets through 2015 will boost gains as the global recession of 2009 restrained manufacturing activity and capital investments. More information is available at www.freedoniagroup.com.