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The ambulatory infusion center market provides centralized infusion therapy at outpatient clinics, allowing patients to receive intravenous drugs and therapies outside of the traditional hospital setting. These centers offer patients a more convenient alternative to hospital-based outpatient treatment through services like chemotherapy, hydration therapy, antibiotic treatment, pain management, nutritional support, and subcutaneous immunoglobulin treatment.
The Global Ambulatory Infusion Center Market is estimated to be valued at US$ 67.84 Bn in 2023 and is expected to exhibit a CAGR of 9.6% over the forecast period 2024-2031.
Key Takeaways
Key players operating in the ambulatory infusion center market are Option Care Health, PharmaScript, Cleveland Clinic, Stoughton Health, Coram CVS, Hattiesburg Clinic, UnitedHealth Group, UK HealthCare, CHI Health, PharMerica, Beacon Health System, Inc., Arnot Health, Inc., IVX Health and Precision Healthcare. The advancement of telemedicine technologies is opening up new opportunities for remote patient monitoring and virtual care delivery in ambulatory infusion centers. Key players are focusing on partnerships and expansion of service offerings to capitalize on this trend.
Market Drivers
The rising geriatric population and increasing prevalence of chronic diseases are major market drivers for the ambulatory infusion center market. Older individuals are more likely to require long-term drug therapies and intravenous treatments for conditions like cancer, diabetes, Crohn’s disease and rheumatoid arthritis. Ambulatory infusion centers allow for specialized chronic disease management in an outpatient setting close to patients’ homes, improving access and quality of care.
Current challenges in Ambulatory Infusion Center Market
The ambulatory infusion center market is facing various challenges currently including the high cost of treatment, shortage of skilled healthcare professionals, and risk of infections from improper handling and administration of infusion therapies. The cost of treatment in ambulatory infusion centers is rising sharply mainly due to the high prices of biologics and specialty drugs used in infusion therapies. This is making treatment unaffordable for many patients. Another challenge is the shortage of nurses, pharmacists, and other healthcare providers trained to handle infusion therapies safely and properly. This can adversely impact quality of care. Infusions if not administered correctly can also cause infections like bloodstream infections which are difficult to treat. Centers need to invest in training programs and stringent safety protocols to tackle this risk.
SWOT Analysis
Strengths: Ambulatory infusion centers offer convenience of receiving infusion therapies close to home without needing hospital admission. This makes treatment more accessible and affordable. The centers are also well-equipped with latest medication administration technologies and skilled staff.
Weaknesses: Most centers have limited services and specialties. They also face constraints in catering to complex, high-risk patients who may need hospital-level care and monitoring. Treatment costs, though lower than in-patient care, are still high for many patients.
Opportunities: Growing demand for non-hospital, outpatient infusion services driven by changing healthcare preferences, aging population, and rising incidence of chronic diseases treatable with infusion. Digital technologies also allow remote monitoring and virtual follow-ups to expand access.
Threats: Shortage of healthcare professionals hampers service quality and growth. Risk of drug shortages and rising costs of specialty medications also impact sustainability of infusion center business models. Increasing preference for home infusion services threatens outpatient center market share over time.
Geographical regions analysis
In terms of value, North America dominates the global ambulatory infusion center market currently. This is attributed to factors such as the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases, rapidly aging population, demand for affordable healthcare services, and growing preference for convenient outpatient settings over hospitals in the US and Canada. Europe is the second largest market due to supportive regulatory frameworks and infrastructure for ambulatory infusion centers across major countries.
Asia Pacific market is expected to witness the fastest growth during the forecast period. This growth can be attributed to rising healthcare investments, expanding insurance coverage, growing prominence of medical tourism in countries like India and Thailand, and increasing focus on non-hospital healthcare models by regional governments and private players. Nations like China and Japan with major aging populations will also drive regional infusion center market growth.
*Note:
- Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
- We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it
