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In addition, 250 nationwide laboratories are allowed public access to clinical services, especially CD4 monitoring for HIV/AIDS patients using anti retrovirals (ARVs).
Private laboratories such as Pathcare, Ampath and Lancet are currently incorporating integrated systems and implementing consolidated workstations. This trend is decreasing the number of analysers and labour required to operate these systems, subsequently reducing the operating costs.
New analysis from Frost & Sullivan (drugdiscovery.frost.com), South African Clinical Laboratory Products Markets, finds that the markets earned revenues of $83.9 million in 2007 and estimates this to reach $111.2 million by 2013.
"Integrated systems and the consolidation of workstations are in an infancy stage and this trend will drive long-term market growth," notes Frost & Sullivan Research Analyst Lizelle Wentzel. "However, since integrated systems will reduce operational costs significantly, growth in the long term will decrease."
Future growth will depend greatly on the expansion of current laboratories and the establishment of new ones, provided patient volumes rise. The replacement of current systems and the incorporation of new systems are other areas that will increase growth.
Medical health insurance schemes in South Africa do not reimburse patients completely for all clinical diagnostic tests performed by private laboratories. Certain tests are not reimbursed at all, leaving the patient with the total cost at hand. Decreasing operating costs in order to lower costs to the patient is therefore essential for service providers.
"To remain competitive, manufacturers have focused their attention on improvements to instrumentation, including enhancements in automation throughput and ease of use," comments Wentzel. "New analysers provide expanded menus and add value to laboratory operations by minimising maintenance requirements, which is a critical factor in light of the widespread shortage of skilled technical personnel. By providing increasingly efficient, accurate, and simplified processes, manufacturers are creating solutions that help clinical laboratories boost productivity and lower costs."
The trend towards system consolidation and the development of higher volume instruments with increased throughput will result in a reduction of the total number of placements, since fewer analysers are becoming necessary to handle laboratory needs.
If you are interested in a virtual brochure, which provides manufacturers, end users and other industry participants with an overview of the South African clinical laboratory products markets, then send an email to Patrick Cairns, Corporate Communications, at patrick.cairns[.]frost.com, with your full name, company name, title, telephone number, company email address, company website, city, state and country. Upon receipt of the above information, an overview will be sent to you by email.
South African Clinical Laboratory Products Markets is part of the Drug Discovery Technologies & Clinical Diagnostics Growth Partnership Services Programme. All research included in this subscription provides detailed market opportunities and industry trends that have been evaluated following extensive interviews with market participants. Interviews with the press are available.
Frost & Sullivan, the Growth Partnership Company, partners with clients to accelerate their growth. The company's TEAM Research, Growth Consulting and Growth Team Membership™ empower clients to create a growth-focused culture that generates, evaluates and implements effective growth strategies. Frost & Sullivan employs over 45 years of experience in partnering with Global 1000 companies, emerging businesses and the investment community from more than 30 offices on six continents.
South African Clinical Laboratory Products Markets - M22B
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patrick.cairns[.]frost.com 
