Medical supplies are low cost, disposable, articles used in high volumes. Normally, purchasing departments of healthcare facilities have standing orders in place to ensure that the items of interest (e.g., gloves, gauze, needles, bandages, and syringes) are never out of stock. These items are crucially important for infection prevention and control, protecting healthcare workers and patients from contracting infectious diseases (e.g., respiratory viruses, surgical site infections) that can lead to longer hospital stays, long-term health conditions, disability and sometimes death.
The importance of medical supplies came to prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic when a massive surge in demand meant that everyday clinical supplies (e.g., surgical masks, examination and surgical gloves, alcohol gel) were suddenly out of stock.
As medical supplies can also be classified as
Medical Technology, facts and figures on this overlooked, and vitally, important area of our healthcare system is unavailable. However, specialist websites indicate that advance machines play a vital role in the production process of these supplies. Automation in medical supply factories is increasing, and safety standards and certifications are required for products to go to market. Domestic production of some medical supplies, such as face masks, re-emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic. While textile factories where able to quickly adapt to surges in demand, it is unlikely that rapid adaptations for other specialist medical supplies can take place without a skilled and knowledgeable workforce in Europe.
References:
Med-disposable,
WorldCrunch 
