Ageing Population in South Africa Drives Joint Replacements Market, Observes Frost & Sullivan

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, April 29, 2010 - The joint replacement market in South Africa is set to experience
continued growth in the medium to long term, driven by an ageing population
that is prone to cartilage degeneration and bone fractures. The introduction
of innovative products with enhanced durability and longevity as well as
safer operation techniques is further boosting growth in this market.

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"The anticipated National Health Insurance (NHI) will also have an impact
on the industry, as it is likely to control prices," notes Frost & Sullivan
Analyst Ishe Zingoni. "Additionally, the government is planning to form a
regulatory authority for medical devices to reduce anti-competitive
behaviour."

New analysis from Frost & Sullivan (www.medicaldevices.frost.com),
South African Joint Replacements Market, finds that the market earned
revenues of US$61.5 million in 2009 and estimates this to reach US$94.9
million in 2016. The joint replacement market is divided into the following
segments: hip replacements, knee replacements and upper extremities
replacements.

If you are interested in more information on this study, please send an
e-mail to Patrick Cairns, Corporate Communications, at
patrick.cairns@frost.com, with your full name, company name, title, telephone
number, company e-mail address, company website, city, state and country.

"While older patients remain the largest end-users of joint replacements,
better joint replacement techniques have led to a change in the patient
age-profile, with younger patients increasingly undergoing arthroplasty
operations," says Zingoni. "Surgeons are more confident about performing such
surgeries on younger patients due to the enhanced products and surgical
techniques available."

However, a problem for new participants in the South African market is
the high barriers to entry. Established companies have a strong portfolio of
products and existing clients are generally brand loyal. Another issue is the
lack of regulatory and industry approval processes to participants in this
market.

"The high cost associated with a joint replacement procedure restrains
the growth of this market, especially in the public sector," explains
Zingoni. "Medical schemes do not cover the total cost of these operations,
resulting in a major reliance on out-of-pocket payments."

The most significant future opportunity for joint replacement
manufacturers and suppliers lies within the public sector - by working
closely with the government and medical institutions in effectively training
surgeons and nurses.

"To combat the restraint of the general lack of skills within the South
African healthcare industry, the government should increase initiatives
undertaking the training for doctors and nurses," concludes Zingoni.
"Additionally, participation in this process by companies - by promoting
information on orthopaedic surgeries amongst medical students - will lead to
the development of a larger orthopaedic specialist pool in the country."

South African Joint Replacements Market is part of the Medical Devices
Growth Partnership Services programme, which also includes research in the
following markets: Strategic Analysis of Medical Imaging Devices in Kenya,
Strategic Analysis of Medical Imaging devices In Ghana and Nigeria, Strategic
Analysis of the Healthcare Industry in Kenya, Strategic Analysis of the
Healthcare Industry in Tanzania, and The medical Insurance Markets in
sub-Sahara Africa. All research services included in subscriptions provide
detailed market opportunities and industry trends that have been evaluated
following extensive interviews with market participants.

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    South African Joint Replacements Market
    M511

    Contact:
    Patrick Cairns
    Corporate Communications - Africa
    P: +27-18-464-2402
    E: patrick.cairns@frost.com

www.frost.com

Patrick Cairns, Corporate Communications - Africa of Frost & Sullivan, +27-18-464-2402, patrick.cairns at frost.com