Medicine shortages have prompted the Western Cape government to seek urgent national intervention, including an investigation into possible port delays affecting imported medicines. Health and Wellness MEC Mireille Wenger has asked Transport Minister Barbara Creecy to help identify logistical obstacles and prioritise medicine consignments. Her request highlights concerns about the Port of Durban. However, authorities have yet to establish the…
Category: October 2026
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China clinical trials draw global drugmakers
China clinical trials are attracting international drugmakers seeking faster patient recruitment and lower costs, while raising questions about safety oversight and transparency. China accounted for 45% of new clinical trials for innovative medicines in 2025, according to pharmaceutical data provider Norstella. Its share stood below 5% in 2008. Meanwhile, McKinsey estimates that Phase 1 costs per patient in China are…
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Six Factors Driving Medical Scheme Increases in 2027
Medical scheme increases for 2027 range from 7.35% to 8.9%, as rising healthcare utilisation, ageing membership and expensive new treatments continue to push costs above inflation. Industry representatives say schemes must raise contributions to cover growing claims expenditure. According to the Council for Medical Schemes (CMS), healthcare costs can absorb up to R96 of every R100 contributed. Why Medical Scheme…
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GLP-1 Obesity Treatment Review Yet to Start in SA
South Africa has yet to begin assessing GLP-1 obesity treatment for public sector patients, despite the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommending these medicines for long-term obesity management in December 2025. The Department of Health is considering adding GLP-1 medicines to its essential medicines list for diabetes treatment. However, it has not started evaluating their use specifically for obesity. Rebone Ntsie,…
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Aspen Manufacturing to Drive 2027 Growth After mRNA Loss
Aspen manufacturing is expected to drive the group’s earnings growth in the 2027 financial year, as the company works to replace business lost when a major mRNA production contract ended. Aspen Pharmacare forecasts that manufacturing EBITDA will more than double this year, according to its 2026 integrated report. Sterile Operations Offset Contract Loss In the year to end-June, factory EBITDA…
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District Health Leadership: Tackling Fear in Frontline Care
District health leadership needs greater investment to help South Africa’s frontline managers improve care and prepare for National Health Insurance (NHI). According to Spotlight, researchers and health managers are testing approaches that replace punitive supervision with collaboration and trust. Their work addresses a persistent problem: facilities provide patient care, while provincial offices retain much financial and administrative authority. As a…
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Gauteng Health Dept Should Be Placed Under Administration
The Gauteng health department should be placed under Treasury administration. Chronic medicine shortages have left clinic patients rationing medication or buying it themselves. The editorial says the province can no longer guarantee even basic care. Patients told to split pills Recently, chronic medicine shortages at Gauteng clinics have forced some patients to buy medicines privately or ration their pills. Mamelodi…
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Gap Cover Undermines Scheme Cost Controls
Gap cover, medical schemes and primary healthcare plans are shifting costs between one another, undermining efforts to contain healthcare spending, actuaries have warned. Four Medscheme actuaries presented the findings at the Actuarial Society of South Africa convention in Cape Town. PMBs squeeze other benefits According to senior actuarial analyst Elizabeth Greyling, prescribed minimum benefits (PMBs) accounted for 70% of healthcare…
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Healthcare Worker Shortages Demand Bolder Leadership
South Africa’s healthcare worker shortages are arguably the country’s biggest healthcare story, yet government leaders have failed to tackle them, according to an editorial. It accompanies an investigation by journalist Sue Segar into unemployed doctors who protested for jobs in KwaZulu-Natal earlier this year. Unemployed doctors amid staff shortages According to the editorial, many of the protesting doctors are committed…
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Clicks Growth Strategy Targets GLP-1 Medicines, Oncology
The Clicks growth strategy is moving the retailer beyond its pharmacy roots, with CEO Bertina Engelbrecht targeting GLP-1 medicines, specialist healthcare and medical consumables. Clicks has raised its pharmacy market share to 24.7% and operates 835 pharmacies and 225 clinics. GLP-1 medicines the biggest near-term opportunity Engelbrecht sees GLP-1 medicines as the biggest short-term opportunity. These drugs treat diabetes and…
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ARV Tender Suffers a Blow as High Court Sets Aside Contracts
The High Court in Pretoria has declared the main contracts in the Health Department’s R15.5 billion ARV tender unconstitutional and invalid. The court set aside two contracts for monthly and three-monthly packs of tenofovir, lamivudine and dolutegravir (TLD), worth a combined R12.63 billion. TLD is the triple combination pill taken by most of South Africa’s HIV-positive patients. According to Treasury,…
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Financial Stress Is the Leading Driver of Poor Mental Health
Financial stress is the top contributor to poor mental health across every generation in South Africa, according to a new survey by private hospital group Mediclinic. Between 59% and 66% of respondents in each generation cited it as a cause. Moreover, 45% said they had never used a mental healthcare provider, partly because of cost and partly because of stigma.…