Demand for reliable, accurate, high-quality pulse oximetry devices in and – increasingly – outside hospitals is driven by the rise of chronic diseases, a growing elderly population prone to asthma, heart disease, sleep apnea and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, as well as the need to monitor oxygen levels in premature babies. According to a new report by Meddevicetracker, the global market for standalone, hospital-grade pulse oximetry devices and accessories will reach $1.9bn by 2021, a CAGR of 5.4% from 2016. In this feature, we'll take a closer look at the overall pulse oximetry market, the major players and which forces are driving – and stymying – its growth.

Innovation in intubation devices, particularly video-enabled technology, is breathing new life into the market for airway management products. At the 2010 meeting of the American Society of Anesthesiologists, held in San Diego in October, manufacturers showcased a variety of new intubation devices designed to improve visualization, avoid complications, and provide fast and simple solutions for patients with difficult airways.

US OTC drug and supplement firms’ reports of results for the first three months of 2024 began on April 19 with P&G. JP Morgan analysts say while “some retailers in the US in particular” are reducing consumer health inventories, for the overall sector they expect “a healthier balance of positive volume and lower pricing contribution.”