The Health Department has defended its R15.5bn AIDS drug tender against a legal challenge from pharmaceutical manufacturer Cipla. The department argues that officials followed a fair and rational process when awarding contracts to supply key HIV medicines. The dispute centres on contracts that took effect on 1 December 2025. They cover the daily treatment used by most HIV patients. Cipla,…
Tag: Antiretrovirals
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Local Pharmaceutical Manufacturing for Future Sustainability
South Africa’s local drug makers are pressing the National Department of Health to change course on upcoming procurement. The issue of local pharmaceutical manufacturing is at the heart of their concerns. Pharmaceuticals Made in South Africa (Pharmisa) says domestic producers must be included in the next major medicine tenders. It warns that continued exclusion will weaken the country’s manufacturing base…
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AIDS Drug Tender Controversy Raises Serious Questions
South Africa’s AIDS Drug Tender Controversy has escalated in Parliament, after Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi sought to distance himself from the department’s latest antiretroviral procurement saga. He told MPs that director-general Sandile Buthelezi, as the department’s accounting officer, carries full responsibility for procurement sign-off. This includes the R15.5bn AIDS drug tender announced in August. The tender covers the three-in-one…
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Competition Commission Pharma Probe Expands Scope
The Competition Commission has initiated an early-stage investigation into several pharmaceutical manufacturers following a complaint from the national health department. The companies named include Ascendis, Pharma Q and Sonke, all of which supply medicines to the state. Competition Commission spokesperson Siyabulela Makunga confirmed that a probe is underway. He would not elaborate on the allegations, saying only that the investigation…
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Lenacapavir HIV Prevention Injection to Reach Too Few
South Africa’s first consignment of lenacapavir, a six-monthly HIV prevention injection for high-risk HIV-negative people, will cover fewer than a quarter of the target population. Deliveries are underway and will continue through April. Rollout will begin immediately after delivery, with an initial two-year implementation plan. Lenacapavir has been described as an HIV game-changer because trial outcomes show it is close…
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Barrs Pharmaceuticals Secures R92m Hetero Investment
Barrs Pharmaceuticals has exited business rescue after agreeing to sell a controlling stake to Hetero. The deal signals a reset for a local manufacturer that has faced both operational disruption and regulatory pressure. Business rescue consultant Karl Gribnitz announced that the Indian generics group’s South African subsidiary will acquire 78% of Barrs for R92m. The group intends this investment to…
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ARV Supply Reassurance After Business Rescue Reports
The National Department of Health has moved to reassure stakeholders about antiretroviral (ARV) shortages after reports that two suppliers in the current ARV tender have entered business rescue. Department spokesperson Foster Mohale said the country is not facing a supply crisis and that contingency plans are already in motion. Mohale said supply disruptions linked to financially distressed suppliers are not…
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AIDS Drug Tender: Pressure as Suppliers Enter Business Rescue
Two pharmaceutical companies awarded a share of South Africa’s latest Aids drug tender are in business rescue and have struggled to consistently supply the state. Avacare Health subsidiaries Barrs and Innovata each won portions of the core contract to supply TLD. Most HIV patients use this three-in-one antiretroviral pill. Both entities entered business rescue in December. Therefore, this raised concerns…
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HIV Drug Tender Facing Legal Challenge from Hetero SA
The South African subsidiary of Indian generic giant Hetero has launched an urgent legal attack against the Department of Health over its latest HIV/AIDS drug tender. Hetero SA alleges that authorities unlawfully excluded it from crucial contracts to supply the primary “three-in-one” pill (TLD) used by most of South Africa’s 5.6 million patients. Just as new contracts start on 1…