UAE Home Infusion Therapy Market

UAE Home Infusion Therapy Market Executive Summary

The UAE Home Infusion Therapy market is at around $179.8 Mn in 2023 and is projected to reach $330.8 Mn in 2030, exhibiting a CAGR of 9.1% during the forecast period.

Home Infusion Therapy is a rapidly growing field in the healthcare, which allows patients to receive healthcare at home for certain acute and chronic conditions at home at a fraction of the cost of an inpatient stay. Home Infusion Therapy refers to the administration of drugs to patients in an efficient and effective method in their respective homes rather than in clinics or hospitals. The various therapies include, but are not limited to, IV and subcutaneous administration of various anti-infective drugs, total parenteral nutrition (TPN), inotropes, hydration, immunoglobulins, and immunomodulating agents. Home infusion therapy offers a safe and comfortable alternative compared to the in-patient services, which allows the patients to maintain normalcy in their daily routines. Although there are no strict rules guiding who can and who cannot receive home infusion therapy, there are certain requirements to ensure the patient safety and treatment efficacy. The two most basic equipment necessary for the home infusion therapy are the vascular access device through which a drug enters the bloodstream and the infusion device which is used for controlling the rate of an infusion. To qualify for home infusion, patients must be discharged home with a vascular access device (VAD) which allows for the administration of intravenous medications. These devices include peripheral venous catheters (PVCs), midlines, and central venous catheters (CVCs) such as peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) and ports. Certain medications which do not require intravenous access are administered subcutaneously or intramuscularly, for which the home infusion companies provide the necessary equipments and devices. The right infusion device usually depends on four factors, being medication stability, dosing regimen, cost, and patient preference. Overall, home infusion therapy represents a significant advancement in healthcare delivery. It enhances the patients’ treatment and medication compliance and improves their quality of life.

Chronic conditions constitute a major public health problem in the UAE and are the leading cause of mortality and morbidity. According to the MoHAP, the four main Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) prevalent are cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and chronic respiratory diseases and they cause 55% of deaths. The UAE Home 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 major players of the UAE Home Infusion Therapy Market are 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: The global rise of chronic diseases is a complex issue with significant consequences for individuals and healthcare systems worldwide. Chronic diseases like autoimmune disorders, cancers, cardiovascular disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) require ongoing treatment. According to the MoHAP, cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of NCD deaths, accounting for 34% of all deaths in the country, followed by cancer which constitutes for 12%. Home infusion therapy offers a safe and effective way to manage 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 the country. 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

In UAE, the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) is the federal regulatory authority responsible for overseeing the healthcare system. It plays a critical role in safeguarding public health by ensuring the safety, quality, and efficacy of the medicines. In addition to MoHAP, other regulatory bodies that oversee licenses, register different types of products, and create healthcare policies and guidelines for hospitals and pharmacies are the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) and the Health Authority Abu Dhabi (HAAD).

The pharmaceuticals require approval before importing, selling or marketing in the UAE. Registration of pharmaceutical products is a complex process which requires extensive documentation and several requirements to be fulfilled by the companies. The overall approval process for pharmaceuticals and medical devices involves classification, application submission, review, and potential inspection. Depending on the device’s complexity and the application’s thoroughness, the evaluation procedure may take up to 45 working days.

The UAE’s healthcare reimbursement landscape involves a mix of public and private insurance. In the public sector, Government funds and taxes collected from patients with required insurance are frequently used to reimburse public hospitals and clinics. In the private sector, private insurance providers employ a range of techniques, including: Fee-For-Service (FFS) which pays medical professionals according to the services they offer (e.g., consultation, operation); the Diagnosis Related Groups (DRGs) defines a set fee for the treatment of a certain illness. Lastly, through the Managed Care, individuals with insurance might receive discounted treatments from networks of healthcare providers.

Competitive Landscape

Key Players

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

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

CareFusion Corporation