Essential medicine shortages are forcing South Africa’s public hospitals and clinics to find alternatives or give patients prescriptions to fill at private pharmacies. The National Health Department’s October hotlist flagged 165 products in critically short supply, including treatments for cancer and severe mental illness. Its November master products list includes 1,135 medicines that provinces can procure. Andy Gray, a senior…
Tag: essential medicines
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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,…