Name of the applicant: Phone number:

Email id:

I. Read the article below and answer the questions based on your understanding of the contents in
the passage. Answers should be derived from information available in the text only.

The adoption rates of surgical drapes and gowns vary significantly among member states of the European
Union due to different concerns about infection control, product usage tradition, natural resources, cost
and environmental concerns. While the demand for surgical drapes and gowns remains relatively stable,
the dynamics between the disposable and reusable segments is a key influence in the industry.

Increasing awareness on the need for better infection control - particularly with respect to human
immunodeficiency virus (HIV), Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) and hepatitis B - has drawn attention
toward providing improved bacterial barriers. Due to their protecting properties, surgical drapes and
gowns are now considered to be medical devices that have to comply with the Medical Devices Directive
(MDD) specifications.

This has given non-woven technology a boost. Non-woven fabrics have excellent liquid resistance, tensile
strength and hydrophobic/hydrophilic properties and are, therefore, highly suitable for surgical drapes and
gowns. In the meantime, the use of traditional cotton and cotton-polyester mixed textiles has been
decreasing since these fabrics fail to meet the requirements of the new standards.

The choice, then, has been reduced to single-use products and 'high-tech' reusable products for most
healthcare purchasers. However, studies show that the microbial penetration resistance of single-use
drapes and gowns is much superior to that of reusable drapes and gowns - both traditional and 'high-tech'.

Another factor in the reusable/disposable dynamics is pricing. Reusable drapes and gowns have a
relatively higher initial cost but can be used between 50 and 100 times. Still, they involve other overhead
and logistics costs such as sterilization and laundering. Thus, when total costs are considered, the
disposable products tend to prove less expensive than the reusable alternatives.

Overall, there has undoubtedly been a general trend in developed countries toward disposable products
for the remarkable balance of safety and comfort they offer.

Participants in the disposable surgical drapes and gowns market need to focus on end-user education to
benefit from this trend. Providing clear product and cost benefits to all end users from the surgeons and
staff to the infection control personnel and the purchase or procurement departments is necessary to
accelerate demand.

Maintaining good customer relations and, perhaps, partnering with custom prepared trays (CPT)
companies are likely to provide a steady base against the threat of the growing CPT market. Viable
mergers and acquisitions can also be vital to market share growth.
 The major focus for companies manufacturing and marketing disposable surgical drapes and gowns
should be to achieve long-term contracts with large institutions. Along with specialization and core
competency, this would help create a strong brand name, which could potentially prevent the users
reverting to reusable products.

The highly fragmented European market also calls for a strong supply chain management to help obtain
regional coverage. Low levels of penetration in the European disposable drapes and gowns market have
been attracting foreign companies. Domestic participants must, therefore, move quickly to take advantage
of their expertise in the regional regulations, languages, buying culture and proximity of production site to
grow through geographic expansion.

Questions:

1. In terms of competitive landscape how would you rate this market (Please tick or highlight?
Monopoly market
Dominated by few leading regional companies
Several players competing for it’s share of the market

2. What are the major factors impacting the gowns and drapes market?

3. What strategies should regional or domestic participants in this market do to ensure they have an
edge over international competition?

4. List the target group for end-user education in this market?

5. Which among the two groups of products – disposable and re-usable gowns and drapes - are
considered cost effective and why?

II. Read the passage below and answer questions about errors in the passage. (highlight your
answer)
My 1) brother in law is an actuary for an insurance company. He works with statistics every day. He
is extremely organized. He takes the same items to work every 2) morning a lunch bag, a thermos 3)
with coffee, and his briefcase. His lunch bag always contains the same things: 4) an apple raspberry
yogurt and a tuna salad sandwich. He always 5) carrys the same items in his briefcase: his insurance
documents, an extra tie, and an extra pair of socks. He takes the same route to work every day: down
First Avenue to the Interstate, Exit 246 to Dodge Rd., and right on Dodge Rd. to the insurance
company. 6) At work, he follows the same routine every day. After work, he always forgets 7) where
he park his car. 8) I guess it helps to be very organized when you are so forgetful!
 1) 2)
A. brother-in-law A. morning; a
B. brother-in law B. morning: a
C. brother-inlaw C. morning, a
D. brother in-law D. morning. A

3) 4)
A. and A. an apple, raspberry yogurt, and
B. of B. an apple; raspberry yogurt; and
C. full of C. an apple - raspberry yogurt - and
D. Either B or C would be correct. D. an apple, raspberry yogurt and
E. Correct as is E. Both A and B are correct.
F. Both A and D are correct.

5) 6)
A . carres A. In work
B. carryes B. In a work
C. carries C. At the work
D. caryes D. Correct as is
E. Correct as is

7) 8)
A. where he did parked A. I, guess it
B. where did he park B. I guess, it
C. where he parked C. I could guess it
D. where did the car park D. Correct as is.
E. Correct as is

III. Write 300-400 words article on any one of the below topics: (Article contents should be
segregated into Introduction, Market Dynamics, Market Segmentation, Market Participants)
(You may conduct online research, but copying and pasting sections will result in rejection. Strictly
avoid plagiarism.)
 1. Global Thyroid Cancer Diagnostics Market
2. Global Melanoma Treatment Market

IV. One of our client is planning to launch breast cancer drug into India market. Before launching
the drug, company wants to understand the current market scenario and market size of breast
cancer drugs in India. Furthermore, client is also interested in competitor strategies how they
are launching their products into the market.

(Write down your logical assumptions to derive the market. Jot down the factors that you will consider to
estimate the market. We are not looking actual market numbers we just want to understand your approach and
methodology)

Current market scenario – Global and India

Market Size of Breast Cancer drugs – India
Competitior Strategies

Logical assumptions to derive market

Factors to estimate the market