As healthcare costs soar, Clicks’ customers increasingly choose generic medications because they are affordable. Sales of generics, including Clicks-branded and other pharmaceutical brands, grew by 10% in the year to August 2024. Generics comprise 59% of Clicks’ pharmacy sales by value and 69% by volume. As the demand for budget-friendly health solutions grows, Clicks CEO Bertina Engelbrecht emphasised the group’s…
Category: Archive
Every Health Matters article, newest first. Use the search or browse by month to find older reporting.
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Dis-Chem achieves 16.3% growth in the first half of 2024
Dis-Chem Pharmacies has reported strong financial results for the first half of 2024, showcasing a 16.3% increase in headline earnings per share (HEPS). The group’s focus on expansion and efficient cost management has significantly boosted its bottom line. Dis-Chem recorded a 9.6% rise in total revenue for the six months ending in August, reaching R19.6 billion. The retail segment saw…
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Concerns arise over R836m oxygen plant roll-out
The Department of Health’s (DoH) R836 million oxygen plant installation project for 55 government hospitals is under scrutiny due to the appointment of Bulkeng (Pty) Ltd. Despite its questionable background, project overseer Independent Development Trust (IDT) awarded Bulkeng a R428 million contract, raising comparisons to the Digital Vibes scandal. Bulkeng, a company with limited experience in medical technology, lacks SAHPRA…
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GLP-1 drugs increase healthcare costs for obese patients
GLP-1 drugs, such as Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy, have become popular for weight loss among US patients struggling with obesity. Despite significant weight-loss benefits, an analysis of US health insurance claims reveals that these medications may drive healthcare costs higher rather than reducing obesity-related expenses. According to data from Prime Therapeutics, a pharmacy benefits manager, US patients’ average annual medical expenses…
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As competition heats up, Novo Nordisk’s share price declines
Danish pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk, renowned for its diabetes and weight loss drugs Ozempic and Wegovy, has experienced a significant share price drop of around 19% this month. This decline follows its market peak in June, driven by increasing competition from Eli Lilly, a key player in the same space. Eli Lilly has gained substantial momentum with its rival drugs,…
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RHAP advocates for higher ‘sin’ taxes
The Rural Health Advocacy Project (RHAP) has launched a powerful campaign calling for increased taxes on sugary drinks, alcohol, and tobacco products. This movement, backed by a coalition of health tax advocates, seeks to reduce the consumption of harmful products and alleviate the financial pressure on South Africa’s public health system. Last week, RHAP brought together an alliance of health…
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Government pushes for more family physicians in key roles
The Department of Health has announced plans to increase the number of family physicians serving as clinical managers in district hospitals. This move follows years of lobbying by the South African Academy of Family Physicians (SAAFP) for greater recognition of the role of family physicians in the country’s public health system. The push to appoint family physicians, described as “super…
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Governance at Bonitas raises serious concerns
The growing unease surrounding the governance of Bonitas, South Africa’s second-largest medical scheme, continues to deepen. Recent responses from Bonitas and the Council for Medical Schemes (CMS) have done little to quell concerns about questionable practices. Instead of offering transparency, they appear to be dodging key allegations, leaving stakeholders with more questions than answers. Bonitas’s recent decisions, particularly regarding its…
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GNU faces major showdown over National Health Insurance
The GNU (Government of National Unity) has been hit by its first significant cabinet clash, with ANC and DA ministers at odds over proposed spending plans. The most contentious issue at the centre of the debate is the National Health Insurance (NHI), a plan to reshape South Africa’s healthcare system. Insiders reported that tempers flared during an extended cabinet meeting…
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Budget cuts leave critical health posts unfilled
The Health Department has faced significant challenges in 2023/24 due to severe budget cuts imposed by the Treasury, leaving nearly a quarter of its posts unfilled. Health Director-General Sandile Buthelezi presented these findings to Parliament last week during the department’s 2023/24 annual report review, citing the inability to fill 24.1% of the 1,122 national department posts as a critical issue.…
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Trust in doctors fades in the digital age
Once revered as trusted authorities, medical doctors face a new challenge in the form of health influencers. With the rise of digital platforms like Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, these influencers are reshaping how people seek medical advice and health information. As more influencers leverage their expertise for financial gain, traditional trust in doctors is fading. Health influencers, such as…
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SAPPF takes legal action against controversial NHI Act
The South African Private Practitioners Forum (SAPPF), the largest association of medical specialists, has taken legal action against the controversial National Health Insurance (NHI) Act. This move adds to the growing pressure on President Cyril Ramaphosa to reconsider the legislation, which has faced increasing opposition. The SAPPF filed an application with the High Court in Pretoria on October 1, asking…