Evidenced effectiveness

Supply and demand is a theory that has driven economic thinkers for many a decade and from Keynes to Milton the concept of which element takes precedence has determined the economic direction of many countries and many businesses. In the main, products are supplied in answer to a market demand – whether real or perceived, but there are instances where demand is created by the supply of a product. The success of Apple is one such example; Apple has driven market demand for their products by creating 'desire', rather than meeting an implicit market need.

In terms of our own industry and infection control in particular, the need for products in this sector has been driven to a large extent not necessarily by customer demand but in response to the publication of HTM01-05 guidelines in 2009. Amidst the scramble to take advantage of the opportunity presented by this document it is important that companies do not lose sight of their responsibility to provide the market with credible, effective products, designed and developed with the support of robust scientific documentation.