Dis-Chem is accelerating its wholesale-brand franchise network. Management says its independent pharmacy platform, The Local Choice (TLC), could eventually grow to 500 stores. This aggressive push highlights the ongoing consolidation in South Africa’s independent pharmacy sector. In the year to February, the number of TLC franchise stores increased to 280 from 240. The number of independent pharmacies supplied by Dis-Chem…
Category: May 2026
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SA Pharma Localisation Faces Foreign Investor Pressure
South Africa’s pharmaceutical sector has become a major industrial battleground. The government is pushing hard to localise production and boost public procurement. It also wants to rebuild domestic capacity. However, outside forces are complicating these goals. Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau delivered this warning at a recent stakeholder engagement. He noted that foreign investors remain highly interested in…
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Life Healthcare Expansion Plans Add Beds And Specialists
Private hospital group Life Healthcare is moving forward with strategic growth initiatives. The JSE-listed company intends to expand capacity, open a new hospital, and recruit more specialists. These Life Healthcare expansion plans aim to significantly boost occupancy rates across all its medical facilities. Strategic Asset Growth And Infrastructure Investments The company will continue to grow its underlying asset base in…
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National Health Insurance: ConCourt Ruling Sparks Policy Rethink
South Africa’s Constitutional Court recently delivered a landmark judgment. The court struck down sections 36 to 40 of the National Health Act. These specific clauses contained the controversial “certificate of need” scheme. Under those rules, individual healthcare providers would have required state permission to establish practices. Officials wanted to dictate exactly where medical facilities could operate. Instead of viewing this…
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South African Retail Pharmacy: Clicks Versus Dis-Chem
The battle for consumer loyalty in the South African retail pharmacy sector has reached a fierce new level. Market leaders Clicks and Dis-Chem are competing intensely for market share. Tough economic conditions are squeezing middle-income households. This has forced both brands to step up their promotional activities. Traditional retailers are also expanding into the health and beauty space, adding to…
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Charlotte Maxeke Hospital Repairs Slated For August Completion
The long-running reconstruction project at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital is finally nearing completion. Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi announced that the core repair work is expected to wrap up in August. This milestone comes more than five years after a devastating fire crippled key sections of the vital facility. Minister Motsoaledi visited the site yesterday to inspect the progress. He…
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Antibiotic Resistance In Salmonella Tied To Climate Change
A groundbreaking international study has revealed a worrying link between climate change and global health threats. Rising temperatures and altered rainfall patterns are actively accelerating the spread of dangerous, hard-to-treat infections. The comprehensive research was published this week in The Lancet Planetary Health. A collaborative team from several prominent institutions led the work. These included the Chinese Academy of Sciences…
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Netcare Growth Expectations Cut After GEMS Benefit Changes
Private hospital group Netcare has trimmed its full-year outlook. This decision follows sudden benefit adjustments by the Government Employees Medical Scheme (GEMS). South Africa’s largest medical scheme for public sector workers introduced strict cost-cutting measures. These alterations will inevitably impact patient volumes across the private hospital sector. Why Netcare Growth Expectations Were Revised Downwards The scheme’s popular Tanzanite One option…
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Compounded GLP-1 Injections Spark Regulatory Battle
South African pharmaceutical firm iDexis is fighting back against local healthcare regulators over its Compounded GLP-1 Weight-Loss Injections. The company strongly defends its product safety amid serious compliance allegations. The dispute follows a joint statement by the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) and the South African Pharmacy Council (SAPC). The regulators ordered an immediate recall of the company’s…
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Illicit GLP-1 Manufacturing Halted In Pretoria Raid
The South African healthcare sector is facing intense regulatory scrutiny following a major raid on a compounding pharmacy in Pretoria. The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) targeted iDexis, trading as Sentra Pharmacy in Silverton. This joint operation with the South African Pharmacy Council (SAPC) highlights growing concerns over the booming local weight-loss market. The Raid On Sentra Pharmacy…
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Charlotte Maxeke Hospital Crisis Sparks Whistleblower Resignation
A senior doctor who helped expose deep-rooted problems at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital (CMJAH) is leaving the public health sector. Professor Adam Mahomed, the respected head of internal medicine, has reached his breaking point. After years of frustration, stress, and stalled reform, he has opted for early retirement. Professor Mahomed lodged a formal complaint with the Public Protector in…
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Charlotte Maxeke Hospital Repairs: A Delayed Recovery
Public Protector Kholeka Gcaleka has proposed decisive remedial action regarding the lengthy delay in Charlotte Maxeke Hospital repairs. This intervention deserves strong public support. Crucially, it targets deep-seated weaknesses in Gauteng’s infrastructure delivery system. A devastating fire damaged the facility in April 2021. This disaster affected critical sections of one of the most vital public healthcare hubs in Gauteng. Years…