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…
Category: July 2026
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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…
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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,…
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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…
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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…
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Medscheme Bonitas Court Bid Withdrawal Clears CMS Probe
Medscheme has withdrawn its legal application against Bonitas Medical Fund. The decision clears the way for the Council for Medical Schemes (CMS) to continue a forensic investigation into disputed procurement processes. The legal action concerned contracts for medical scheme administration, managed care, marketing and sales distribution. Medscheme claimed to have evidence of significant irregularities in tender processes involving Bonitas’s BonCap…
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Illicit Medicines In South Africa Spark Sahpra Crackdown
The availability of illicit medicines in South Africa is increasing, according to the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority. Sahpra regulates medicines and medical devices in the country. It said reports from consumers and seizures by inspectors suggest the problem is widespread. Criminal syndicates are targeting widely used or in-demand medicines. These include weight-loss drugs, antibiotics, painkillers and medicines used…
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Sun Pharma’s Generic Semaglutide Gets SA Approval
Sun Pharmaceutical Industries has received regulatory approval to manufacture and sell a generic semaglutide injection in South Africa. The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority, or SAHPRA, approved the medicine for adults with inadequately controlled type 2 diabetes. Semaglutide is the active ingredient in Novo Nordisk’s diabetes medicine Ozempic. It is also used in the company’s Wegovy weight-loss treatment. The…
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Mogalakwena Hospital Court Case Challenges Inspection Refusal
Mogalakwena Health has launched urgent proceedings in the High Court. This follows after a newly built R165 million private hospital in Mokopane was prevented from opening. The company has cited Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi, acting National Health Department director-general Nicholas Crisp and Limpopo health authorities as respondents. Its application was filed in the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria. Mogalakwena Health…
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Sleep Debt And Road Safety: Crash Risk Rises
Poor and inconsistent sleep may be one of the biggest hidden threats to road safety. New research from Discovery Insure suggests that sleep debt is a stronger predictor of crash risk than many traditional insurance factors when these are considered separately. The insurer analysed four years of sleep, driving and accident data from more than 10,000 South African drivers. It…
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Gauteng’s Foreign Doctor Salary Bill Sparks Jobs Row
The Gauteng department of health has budgeted more than R612 million to compensate foreign medical professionals during the 2026/27 financial year. The disclosure has triggered criticism as hundreds of qualified South African doctors remain unemployed. Gauteng Health and Wellness MEC Faith Mazibuko revealed the figures in a written response to ActionSA’s questions. According to the response, the department has 551…