South African sales of MedMira rapid HIV tests begin

Sep 26 2004

MedMira Inc., the international market leader in rapid flow- through diagnostic technology announced today that it has begun shipment of its MiraWell(TM) Rapid HIV Test to its distributor.

Impilo Medical Supplies will be distributing the product through Sekunjalo Health Care, a national pharmaceutical distributor who has been serving the market for eight years and is rated one of the top 300 companies in South Africa. The MiraWell(TM) Rapid HIV Tests will be launched at Sekunjalo's national sales conference in the Drakensberg on September 30, 2004. MedMira will be attending the launch to provide sales training and marketing consultation.

Currently, the continent of Africa encompasses more HIV-infected individuals than any other area in the world. It is estimated that approximately 60 million people have been infected since the start of the epidemic, and it is forecasted that the average life expectancy will plummet from approximately 60 years to 40 by 2008. Unprotected sex, multiple sexual partners, migration and intravenous drug (IVD) use have been attributed to the spread of this deadly virus.

Hermes Chan, president and COO of MedMira says, "We are proud to be the first and only foreign rapid HIV test to attain recognition from the South African Medical Council. Adding to this, the launch of our MiraWell(TM) Rapid HIV Test by our established and respected distributor is a testament of our corporate commitment to find experienced, professional sales networks in new markets."

"We are very pleased to represent MedMira in South Africa," stated Tonie Boven, president of Impilo Medical Supplies. "Impilo and Sekunjalo Health Care are very proud and excited to join forces with MedMira to introduce such a reliable HIV rapid test to the market, which we expect to have a great impact in the battle against HIV/AIDS in South Africa."

Currently in South Africa, as in other markets, people are unlikely to return for their test results due to long processing times. The use of MedMira's rapid HIV tests will alleviate this problem by providing reliable and rapid test results in less than 3 minutes, ensuring faster treatment and prompt counseling during the same visit. Sekunjalo Health Care will target sales to general health practitioners, health clinics and pharmacies with an in-house nurses to administer the tests.