Amid concerns over Botswana’s drug supply, the country’s President, Duma Boko, has declared a national public health emergency. He launched a 5 billion pula ($348 million) response plan as the country’s healthcare system buckles under the weight of a severe medical supply shortage. Indeed, Botswana’s drug supply is a central focus of this emergency plan. In a televised address to…
Category: August 2024
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Pharma Giants Sidelined in R15.5bn HIV Drug Tender
The National Department of Health has awarded its latest three-year antiretroviral (ARV) tender, valued at R15.5 billion. This decision leaves several of South Africa’s largest domestic pharmaceutical manufacturers without a contract. The government’s procurement strategy sidelines pharma giants and sparks a fresh debate. This debate pits aggressive cost-saving measures against its stated goal of bolstering local industrial capacity. The tender…
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Novo Nordisk Hiring Freeze After Wegovy Sales Decline
Danish pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk, which rode a wave of unprecedented success with its weight-loss drug Wegovy, has announced a global hiring freeze for non-critical roles. This signals a dramatic shift from rapid expansion to rigorous cost-cutting. Sales begin to slow and competition intensifies. Novo Nordisk’s hiring freeze is a significant turn for the company. The Wegovy Hiring Spree The…
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Two-week amnesty for fraudulent medical negligence claims
Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi has introduced a two-week amnesty period for lawyers to withdraw fraudulent medical negligence claims without facing prosecution. This move is part of a nationwide campaign to curb the exploitation of the state’s resources and protect patients from unethical legal practices. The Treasury has raised alarms over the escalating budget impact of medical negligence payouts, which have…
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Ramaphosa’s vision of collaboration faces a setback
In his February State of the Nation address, President Cyril Ramaphosa expressed optimism about the collaborative efforts among various sectors of society during his tenure. He highlighted achievements like vaccine distribution during the Covid-19 pandemic, combating gender-based violence, addressing energy and logistics crises, fighting crime and corruption, and accelerating job creation. Ramaphosa emphasised that this spirit of cooperation is critical…
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Mpox vaccine delay highlights global health inequities
Africa is finally set to receive its first batch of 10,000 mpox vaccines next week amidst concerns over the global spread of a new, more virulent strain of the virus. The slow arrival of these vaccines, already available in over 70 countries outside Africa, underscores ongoing disparities in global healthcare access despite lessons from the Covid-19 pandemic. The World Health…
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Presidency finalises health compact despite boycott
The President’s office has disregarded a boycott by organised business and healthcare professionals. It has finalised its second health compact, demonstrating its determination to move forward with the National Health Insurance (NHI). Despite the absence of support from Business Unity SA (Busa), the SA Medical Association (Sama), and the SA Health Professionals Collaboration (SAHPC), the compact was signed as a…
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Gauteng pushes ahead with plans for four new hospitals
Gauteng is pushing forward with plans to construct four new hospitals, as announced by the provincial health department. Premier Panyaza Lesufi revealed the intention to increase the number of hospitals from 37 to include new facilities in Daveyton, Soshanguve, Orange Farm, and Diepsloot during his State of the Province address on August 15. The National Health Department has already approved…
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High winter product demand lifts Adcock Ingram’s turnover
Pharmaceutical manufacturer Adcock Ingram reported a 6% increase in total turnover, reaching R9.6 billion for the year ending in June. This growth was primarily driven by a rise in demand for the company’s winter products, as cold and flu cases and other respiratory illnesses surged. The company noted that it had increased its market share, maintaining its position as the…
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Gauteng health department summoned over unpaid invoices
The Gauteng health portfolio committee has called on the provincial health department to explain why it failed to pay invoices during the first quarter of the 2024/25 financial year. This means Gauteng Health MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko must appear before the committee to address the issue. The summons follows a report by Public Service Commissioner Vusumzi Mavuso, revealing that the department…
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Africa fights mpox outbreak amid vaccine challenges
African public health officials are working hard to prevent the same mistakes made during the COVID-19 pandemic as they tackle a deadly mpox outbreak. A key concern is the slow process of getting vaccines to the continent. The World Health Organisation recently declared the outbreak an international health emergency, prompting efforts to bring vaccines to Africa. These vaccines should arrive…
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New Jersey to erase $100m in medical debt for many residents
Governor Phil Murphy announced that nearly 50,000 people in New Jersey will have $100 million in medical debt erased. This move marks one of the most extensive state-led efforts to provide direct relief to residents struggling with medical bills. Governor Murphy allocated $550,000 from federal American Rescue Plan funds and partnered with the nonprofit organisation Undue Medical Debt, which buys…