What we do
Through our committees we work to advance the interests, knowledge and expertise of our members, increase the visibility, credibility and standing of the medtech industry, advocate to inform policy and improve market access.
We hold regular events, training courses and interactive collaboration platforms to share market trends, promote best practice and work towards regulatory and industry harmonisation.
We research, assemble, and share knowledge and experiences to empower our members to jointly and sustainably advance medtech.
We stand for good governance and support patient-centric policies that enable people to live healthy and productive lives.
We provide solutions that enhance our country’s healthcare system, and its productivity and accountability.
We host regular forums and training workshops on matters that impact the business and sustainability of our members.
We advocate with and educate members and stakeholders and implement tools to facilitate ethical marketing and business practices across the medtech value chain and the entire health system.
We collect and provide members with data that aids them in making informed business decisions. We subscribe to several industry and government communications and a member of the business collective, BUSA.
SAMED Policies and Position Papers
SAMED’s positions and policies are informed by research, expert opinion and knowledge of the medical technology sector. We adopt the voice of our members through our member-led committees to formulate a stance that is representative of the industry.
Data with Integrity: Uniting to tap the power of information
Data with Integrity, a programme driven by the South African Medical Technology Industry Association (SAMED), will build an increasingly detailed and reliable picture of the medtech sector in South Africa.
MedTech Regulations
The global medtech market is tightly regulated to ensure the safety, performance and quality of medical technology. SAMED stays abreast of breaking developments from around the world and advocates for the strengthening of regulatory structures, and for their applicability and effectiveness given the interests of patients and our members.
Market Access
Market access describes mechanisms allowing for the procurement of products, services and solutions by healthcare providers and healthcare systems. Access to markets in both the private and public sectors is crucial for the advancement of the medtech industry in South Africa. SAMED focuses on effecting positive change in procurement systems in both the private and public sectors.
Transformation
Meaningful transformation is not a nice-to-have or an exercise in compliance. It is an economic imperative and a vital contributor to South Africa’s socio-economic progress. We are committed to meaningful transformation, believe in its value and importance and drive sustainable change as an industry body.
Medical Device Code
The Medical Device Code of Ethical Marketing and Business Practice protects the reputation of the medtech industry and encourages trust, responsibility and a patient-centric industry focus. The fundamental purpose of the Code is to promote and encourage ethical principles and practices in our members’ marketing and business interactions with customers. The Code is binding on all SAMED members and is a condition for new and ongoing membership.
Localisation, manufacture and SMMEs
SAMED is proud to have members who are local innovators and manufacturers which trade both locally and internationally, additionally most of SAMED’s members are small, medium and micro-enterprises. We champion and considers the unique challenges and requirements for both these sub-sectors of medtech.
National Health Insurance (NHI)
SAMED supports universal health coverage and the provision of quality healthcare for all. It is our aim to ensure that universal healthcare takes account of the value of medical technology, sustains the industry and opens further opportunity within the field as a strategic pillar of South Africa’s social and economic advancement.
Government Payment Time Frames
We have particularly focused efforts on improving payment timelines by provincial health departments. Long payment timelines are a significant issue which poses a threat to the survival of many companies – especially SMMEs. Interruptions in providing products and services affect service delivery and patient access to products and care.
Company Representative in a Clinical Environment (CRICE)
Company Representatives in the Clinical Environment (CRICE) is an online course and certification for equipping company reps with the knowledge and skills they need to protect the rights and safety of patients. It is a sterling example of cross-sectoral collaboration with hospitals, practitioners and the medical technology industry.
