Building local life sciences
The group’s subsidiary helps its operation in an industry where time is a critical factor
Aec-amersham, a wholly owned subsidiary of NTP Radioisotopes, is the largest supplier of radiopharmaceuticals in SA.
It specialises in the distribution, marketing and sales of radiopharmaceutical products as well as a range of health-care, life sciences and quality and safety products.
Working with NTP, more than 80% of Aec-amersham’s radiopharmaceutical products are made locally — the company only imports around 15% of requirements. This is essential in an industry where time is a critical factor, and ingredients cannot be stockpiled.
Despite often testing local conditions, Aec-amersham has continued to post slow and steady growth in revenue, contributing R136m in sales to the group’s income in 2016/2017. Creating further challenges is the fact that European and Asian markets are saturated, with the result that many radiopharmaceutical companies from these regions are also looking at African markets as territories with growth potential.
Aec-amersham MD Mapula Letsoalo, a pharmacist, got into the industry almost by accident.
“I was working in the patient dispensary at Ikalafeng Hospital when a call came from a recruitment company looking for a pharmacist at Pelindaba.
She went on to head up radiochemical and then radiopharmaceutical production before taking up her role at Aec-amersham in 2015.
“There are numerous factors that contribute towards a successful production run, all of which require significant scientific expertise. No two days are ever the same and there is always something new to learn.”