South Africa Home Infusion Therapy Market

South Africa Home Infusion Therapy Market Executive Summary

The South Africa Home Infusion Therapy market is at around $233.7 Mn in 2023 and is projected to reach $436.4 Mn in 2030, exhibiting a CAGR of 9.33% during the forecast period.

Medical treatment at hospitals and clinics for patients suffering from chronic diseases is not only expensive in the long run, but also inconvenient and cumbersome which ultimately leads to reduced quality of life. As a result, home infusion therapy has evolved as a comprehensive medical treatment which provides an alternative to the in-patient healthcare which is both affordable and convenient for the patients. Home infusion therapy refers to the administration of medications through a needle or catheter to patients at a place other than hospitals and clinics, usually their homes. Home infusion is frequently advised when oral medications are ineffective and when there is a strong need for parenteral administration of drugs. “Infusion therapy” usually refers to the intravenous administration of a medicine, but it can also describe circumstances in which alternative non-oral drug delivery methods, such as intramuscular injections and epidural routes, are used. Prescription drug therapies commonly administered via infusion therapy include antibiotic, antifungal, antiviral, chemotherapy, hydration, pain management and parenteral nutrition. Specialty infusion therapies can also be used to treat autoimmune deficiencies, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, cancer, congestive heart failure, haemophilia, and other disorders. A home infusion therapy provider is state-licensed pharmacy that is specialized in providing such treatment to patients in their homes or other alternative sites. An infusion therapy is only initiated upon the permission of a licensed physician who is supervising the patient’s care. To ensure safety and efficacy of the treatment, various services are performed by the healthcare givers include, but are not limited to, patient assessment and education, maintenance of appropriate documentation, adverse effect and drug interaction monitoring, and lastly, quality control of all the infusion medication and equipment.

South Africa has a high burden of both communicable diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS and non-communicable disease (NCDs) such as cardiovascular disease, chronic respiratory disease, cancer, and diabetes. Due to this, multi-morbidity is a major public health challenge given the high burden of both NCDs as well as HIV, TB, and Malaria. As a result, the South Africa Infusion Therapy Market is driven by significant factors such as the rising prevalence of chronic diseases, expanding geriatric population, and technological advancements. However, uncertain reimbursement policies, limited availability of nurses, and infrastructure and accessibility issues restrict the growth and potential of the market.

The prominent players of the South Africa Home Infusion Therapy Market are SA Homecare, Baxter International, ICU Medical (Smiths Medical), Becton, Dickinson and Company (BD), and Fresenius Kabi, among others.

Market Dynamics

Market Growth Drivers

Rising Prevalence of Chronic Diseases: NCDs are a significant health problem in South Africa. According to the WHO, the age-standardised mortality rate across four major NCDs was 772 per 100,000 in males and 579 in females in 2021. Home infusion therapy offers a safe and effective way to manage these chronic conditions at home as it allows for convenient administration of medications over extended periods, improving patient adherence and treatment outcomes. For instance, chemotherapy drugs can be safely administered to oncology patients at home, reducing hospital stays and improving patient comfort during treatment. Home infusion can also deliver insulin or other medications for patients with complex diabetes management needs. Thus, the rising burden of chronic diseases creates a growing demand for innovative and effective treatment options. Home infusion therapy, with its convenience, cost-effectiveness, and adaptability to various chronic conditions, plays a significant role in managing these illnesses and improving patient quality of life, leading to overall growth of the market.

Expanding Geriatric Population: The global geriatric population is experiencing a significant and rapid increase and is a key growth driver for the home infusion therapy market for many reasons.  As people age, they become more susceptible to chronic conditions like diabetes, heart failure, and autoimmune disorders. These conditions often require long-term treatment with medications that can be effectively delivered through home infusion therapy. Also, the growing elderly population is characterized by decreased mobility which makes frequent hospital visits challenging. Home infusion therapy offers a convenient alternative, allowing them to receive treatment in the comfort of their own homes, improving their quality of life and reducing caregiver burden. Moreover, older adults are more susceptible to infections, and hospitals settings can increase their chances of adopting these infections. However, home infusion therapy can reduce the risk of exposure to hospital-acquired infections, leading to better patient outcomes. Overall, a larger geriatric population means a greater number of potential patients who may require home infusion therapy for chronic disease management, which ultimately drives the home infusion therapy market.

Technological advancements: The home infusion therapy market is expected to grow at a high rate due to the numerous advantages that technological advancements provide. Patients can move around more freely and independently while receiving therapy because of the smaller, lighter, and more user-friendly designs of more recent portable pump models. In order to improve safety and convenience, real-time data transfer from infusion pumps to healthcare providers allows for remote monitoring of medicine distribution and patient vitals. Automated dose calculations, preprogrammed reminders, and malfunction alarms are just a few of the features that smart infusion pumps provide to increase medication accuracy and lower error rates. These technical developments result in better patient acceptance, a wider range of treatments, greater efficiency for medical professionals, and lower costs, all of which raise demand and fuel the market for home infusion therapy.

Market Restraints

Uncertain Reimbursement Policies: The varied and unclear reimbursement policies from private insurance companies and the government can limit patient access to home infusion therapy. Even though, home infusion therapy is much more affordable to patients rather than receiving in-patient care, there can be high costs associated with certain speciality infusion therapies. These high costs associated with specialty infusion treatment may discourage patients, especially those without adequate insurance coverage. Due to this, the Home Infusion Therapy Market gets affected as it faces resistance from the patients.

Limited Availability of Nurses: A shortage of nurses trained in administering home infusion therapy can pose a challenge. This can limit the number of patients who can receive treatment at home and potentially lead to longer wait times. Long waits can discourage patients from pursuing home infusion therapy altogether. They may opt for alternative treatment options or even delay treatment due to the wait times. To attract and retain qualified nurses, home infusion therapy providers may need to offer higher salaries. This can increase operational costs, potentially leading to higher treatment costs for patients, further impacting market access. A skilled workforce shortage acts as a bottleneck for the home infusion therapy market. It restricts patient access, increases costs, and potentially compromises the quality and safety of care. This can lead to a decline in patient confidence and a slowdown in market growth.

Infrastructure and Accessibility Issues: Availability of home infusion therapy services might be limited in remote or rural areas of South Africa. This can create accessibility issues for patients who may not have easy access to qualified providers and necessary equipment. Also, inadequate cold chain logistics for storing and transporting temperature-sensitive medications can hinder the expansion of home infusion therapy in certain regions. Therefore, the overall home infusion therapy market gets affected.

Regulatory Landscape and Reimbursement Scenario

The regulatory body for pharmaceuticals in South Africa is the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA), operating under the National Department of Health. SAHPRA ensures the safety, efficacy, and quality of all health products in South Africa, including human and veterinary medicines, medical devices, and complementary medicines.

Before new drugs can be sold in South Africa, SAHPRA evaluates applications and authorizes their commercialization. Additionally, they grant licenses to producers, distributors, and wholesalers of pharmaceuticals and medical devices. When evaluating novel drugs, SAHPRA examines and approves clinical trial applications to guarantee participant safety and ethical research procedures. Moreover, SAHPRA gathers and analyses information on adverse reactions reported by patients and healthcare professionals in order to actively monitor the safety of pharmaceuticals once they are placed on the market. Overall, the rigorous review process of SAHPRA helps ensure that only safe and effective medications reach the market, thus safeguarding the public health in South Africa.

South Africa's National Health Insurance (NHI) is a proposed reform aiming to transform the country’s healthcare financing system. Regardless of employment or income level, the NHI aims to provide all South African citizens and permanent residents with universal access to high-quality healthcare services. By establishing a unified funding source for the public and private healthcare sectors, the NHI seeks to overcome current disparities in healthcare access.

Competitive Landscape

Key Players

Here are some of the major key players in the South Africa Home Infusion Therapy Market:

• SA Homecare
• Baxter International
• ICU Medical (Smiths Medical)
• Becton, Dickinson and Company (BD)
• Fresenius Kabi
• Option Care Health
• Medtronic
• B. Braun Melsungen AG
• Terumo Corporation
• CareFusion Corporation