Eastern Cape
South Africa
Sector
Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals
The Eastern Cape pharmaceuticals industry is small and robust, but includes some internationally respected names such as Johnson & Johnson, Aspen Pharmacare, Bodene, CliniSut and Condomi. Aspen Pharmacare has its manufacturing base in the province and has become the largest South African producer of generic drugs.
The province is well supplied with pharmaceutical skills with Rhodes University and the University of Port Elizabeth offering degrees in pharmacy and chemistry. Bio-prospecting initiatives also draw on indigenous knowledge.
There is a large world market for derivatives of the aloe plant. This market, at present, is dominated by aloe vera. There is scope for new entrants, particularly in terms of aloe ferox, a plant which grows naturally in the Eastern Cape. In fact, eighty percent of all aloe ferox in South Africa is found in the province. A number of factors contribute to making the Eastern Cape, and the East London IDZ in particular, an ideal investment destination for the manufacture of aloe vera derivative products.
Benefits and opportunities:
• Access to aloe ferox plant which is situated in close proximity to the East London IDZ
• Access to world class infrastructure
• Access to expertise and knowledge and scientific research (Rhodes University’s Biodiversity Institute and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research)
• Access to the quality of raw materials in the wild (other indigenous products surrounding the East London IDZ)
• Access to laboratories
• Close proximity to transport networks for export purposes.
East London IDZ pharmaceutical sector opportunities:
• The production of fine chemicals for the industry, supplying the public health sector and tapping into exports, especially to other African countries
• Cultivation of poppy straws has also been identified
• Aloe is edible and this is an opportunity to enter the food market since liquid aloe has been so successful and internal use has proven safe
• Aloe gel powder is widely used in the cosmetic sector because of its moisturising and soothing features and its extraordinary permeability. Aloe ferox gel powder is included in many creams, lotions and other skin care products as well as hair and sun care and other personal care products.
• SETA-approved registered providers are used to conduct the required technical and environmental training for the staff, understanding of the aloe ferox industry, harvesting and production and environmental management of the plant.
Indigenous plants found in the Eastern Cape used in the manufacture of health care products:
• Bulbine gel is used in personal care products
• Sutherlandia or
cancer bush is used for wound-healing, eczema, herpes and shingles
• Honeybush is well-known locally as health tea with a pleasing honey like aroma is also used for cosmececuticals
• Melonseed oil is cultivated on farms for animal food. The seeds yield a high grade fixed oil when cold pressed
• Pelargonium sidoides its roots are used for treating coughs, tuberculosis and diarrhoea while the leaves are used for its wound-healing activities
• Lippia javanica is a shrub whose leaves are highly aromatic when crushed. It is widely used as a health and medicinal tea. Infusions are used topically to treat burns, sore and wounds.
Other opportunities in the pharmaceutical industry:
• Asthma medication
• Cardiology medication
• Respiratory medication
• Deodorants
• Hairsprays
• Furniture polish
• Window
cleaners
• Hospital products
• Toilet bowl cleansers and rim blocks
• Jeyes fluid
• Perfumes
• Allergies medication
• Antibiotics
• Baby care
• Bone health
• Skin care products
• Eye care
• Generic medication
• Dermatological medication
• Insecticides
• Soap free products and many more
For more information on these and other opportunities at ELIDZ contact Ms Ayanda Ramncwana on +27 41 702 8200 or at ayanda@elidz.co.za.
