Hundreds of cancer patients, including vulnerable children, in South Africa’s Eastern Cape province have had their life-saving chemotherapy treatments interrupted. This is due to the Department of Health’s alarming failure to pay its drug suppliers. Consequently, Eastern Cape cancer patients face critical challenges. The crisis has forced desperate doctors to ration limited medication. This has led to widespread concern and…
Category: Archive
Every Health Matters article, newest first. Use the search or browse by month to find older reporting.
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Medical schemes facing ‘slow death spiral’ amid regulatory failures
South Africa’s medical scheme industry is at a critical juncture, with escalating regulatory failures forcing schemes to design options that include gaps in cover. This trend increasingly requires members to purchase supplementary insurance, such as primary healthcare plans or gap cover. Consequently, this pushes consumers to pay for cover based more closely on their health risks. This was a key…
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Adcock Ingram’s Lenbucod Blocked by Court Ruling
The Pretoria High Court has dealt pharmaceutical giant Adcock Ingram a significant blow, ordering the company to cease selling and distributing its new painkiller, Lenbucod. This ruling effectively blocks Adcock Ingram’s Lenbucod from the market. The court found that the name infringed upon rival Aspen Pharmaceuticals’ existing trademark, Mybucod. This legal skirmish between the two JSE-listed heavyweights highlights the increasing…
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HIV/AIDS Programme Remains Strong Amid Funding Cuts
Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi has provided reassurances on the future of South Africa’s HIV/Aids programme following the withdrawal of PEPFAR funding. He detailed the government’s mitigation efforts and engagements with potential donors.1 HIV/AIDS Programme ‘Not at Risk of Collapsing’ Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi has moved to quell fears surrounding the future of South Africa’s HIV/Aids response. He firmly stated the…
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Public Servant Concerns on Redirecting Medical Aid Contributions
Plans to redirect South African public servants’ significant medical scheme contributions into the proposed National Health Insurance (NHI) fund face considerable hurdles. Delegates at the annual Board of Healthcare Funders (BHF) conference heard this on Tuesday. Any such move would necessitate complex changes to public servants’ conditions of service. Staunch resistance to this process is likely. Public servants currently benefit…
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NHI Act Court Challenges and Their Implications
The Board of Healthcare Funders is preparing to escalate its legal fight against the controversial National Health Insurance (NHI) Act. They are launching two new court challenges targeting public participation and constitutionality. The Board of Healthcare Funders (BHF) is preparing to launch two significant new legal challenges against South Africa’s contentious National Health Insurance (NHI) Act. This signals a deepening…
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Adcock Ingram: A picture of resilience in a challenging market
Pharmaceutical stalwart Adcock Ingram presents a compelling case for investors seeking resilience amidst potential market turbulence. The group boasts a robust track record, with a mere 3% dip in headline earnings per share (HEPS) during the challenging Covid-impacted year of 2021. It was their worst annual performance in a decade. Since 2015, Adcock has delivered an impressive 16.2% compound annual…
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Clicks Group: The Value Behind the Price Tag
Clicks Group is undeniably a powerhouse on the JSE. It is widely recognised as a well-managed and resilient business. However, a persistent question dogs potential investors, particularly those inclined towards scepticism: is Clicks Group simply too expensive to justify buying? While it’s true that Clicks trades at a premium compared to many other retailers, this doesn’t automatically mean it’s never…
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Ozempic and Mounjaro are reshaping South Africa’s health market
The landscape of weight management and diabetes treatment in South Africa is undergoing a dramatic transformation. This change is driven by the meteoric rise in popularity of a class of drugs known as GLP-1s, including Ozempic and Mounjaro. These medications, initially developed for Type 2 diabetes, have shown significant efficacy in promoting weight loss. As a result, there is unprecedented…
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Trump targets drug costs in sweeping executive order
US President Donald Trump has signed a wide-ranging executive order. It targets drug costs by directing pharmaceutical companies to lower their prices. The goal is to align with rates paid in other developed countries. This executive order marks a clear initiative where Trump targets drug costs. It fulfills a key campaign promise. The move was met with scepticism from analysts…
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SA’s HIV success story creates new challenges
South Africa’s groundbreaking success in providing antiretroviral treatment (ARVs) to millions has transformed HIV from a death sentence into a manageable chronic condition. Many benefit from this. SA’s HIV success story is evident, with roughly 6 million people now on ARVs in the public sector since the 2004 scale-up. This allows people living with HIV to live longer, healthier lives,…