Global HIV funding cuts pushed international financing for the epidemic to its lowest level in almost two decades in 2025. Funding from several donor countries fell by 18% between 2024 and 2025, according to a new UNAIDS report. The total declined by more than $1.5bn to $7.3bn. The contraction comes at a critical point in the global response to HIV.…
Category: Archive
Every Health Matters article, newest first. Use the search or browse by month to find older reporting.
-
Aspen HIV Prevention Pill Deal Expands African Access
Aspen Pharmacare will become a major African supplier of Merck’s experimental monthly HIV prevention pill, alimatravir. The agreement depends on the medicine successfully completing clinical trials and receiving regulatory approval. Merck granted voluntary licenses to seven generic drug manufacturers, including the South African company, to produce and distribute lower-cost versions of the medicine. The drug also goes by its development…
-
Dis-Chem Leadership Succession Ends Saltzman Era
Dis-Chem co-founder Ivan Saltzman has resigned from the pharmacy retailer’s board after 48 years. His departure ends the founding family’s formal representation in the company’s boardroom. The JSE-listed healthcare group said Saltzman stepped down as a non-executive director with effect from 23 July 2026. He retired as an executive director at the end of June. He then briefly served in…
-
Extensior Launch Cuts Ozempic Cost By 15%
Novo Nordisk will launch Extensior in South Africa on 31 July. The medicine contains the same active ingredient as Ozempic but will cost about 15% less. The lower price could reduce monthly expenses for patients who pay for semaglutide themselves. However, the discount is unlikely to persuade medical schemes to expand funding for the costly diabetes treatment. Extensior will be…
-
Generic Drug Tariffs Could Raise US Medicine Costs
US President Donald Trump has announced steep tariffs on imported generic medicines. The move is designed to encourage pharmaceutical manufacturers to relocate production to the United States. Trump said generic medicines would remain tariff-free for two years from 1 August 2026. A 100% tariff would then apply for one year from August 2028. This would increase to 200% from August…
-
Medicine Safety Under Scrutiny after iDexis Case
Recent court proceedings involving Pretoria-based compounding pharmacy iDexis have placed semaglutide medicine safety in the spotlight. The dispute has sparked debate about access to medicines, intellectual property rights and the regulatory powers of the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA). It has also drawn attention to rising demand for medicines containing semaglutide. This is the active ingredient in registered…
-
Fake Medical Certificates Fuel Sick Leave Abuse
Recent allegations that high-profile figures feigned illness to avoid appearing before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry have placed fake medical certificates under renewed scrutiny. Labour experts warn that fraudulent sick notes are widely used by employees seeking time away from work without valid medical reasons. The practice adds to workplace absenteeism, reduces productivity and increases costs for employers. Online healthcare…
-
Aspen Semaglutide Canada Approval Clears Market Entry
Aspen Pharmacare has received Health Canada approval for Aspen-Semaglutide, its generic version of Novo Nordisk’s diabetes medicine Ozempic. Aspen, Africa’s largest pharmaceutical manufacturer, announced that its Canadian subsidiary had secured the regulatory authorisation. The medicine has been approved for the management of type 2 diabetes. The decision gives Aspen access to Canada’s expanding market for GLP-1 medicines. However, regulatory approval…
-
Extensior South Africa Launch Targets Lower-Cost Access
Novo Nordisk is preparing to launch a lower-cost, authorised version of Ozempic in South Africa. The Extensior South Africa launch aims to improve access to regulated semaglutide treatment for people with type 2 diabetes. Extensior is scheduled to become available from 27 July. Novo Nordisk has partnered with pharmaceutical company Acino to distribute the medicine nationwide. The treatment contains semaglutide,…
-
Ambulance Tariff Negotiations Seek Competition Exemption
South Africa’s private ambulance operators have applied for permission to negotiate tariffs and payment structures collectively with medical aid schemes. The South African Private Ambulance & Emergency Services Association submitted the exemption application to the Competition Commission. Sapaesa represents more than 120 private emergency medical service providers. Its members include ER24 and several smaller independent ambulance businesses. Collective tariff negotiations…
-
Discovery Health Membership Growth and Challenges Ahead
Discovery Health Medical Scheme must recruit between 280,000 and 290,000 new members each year to maintain its current membership base. Discovery Health CEO Dr Ron Whelan disclosed the target at the scheme’s recent annual general meeting. He said the high recruitment requirement was necessary because of significant annual membership churn. DHMS is South Africa’s largest open medical scheme. At the…