In a move heralded as a significant victory for public health, South Africa’s Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) has upheld a decision. This allows specially trained pharmacists to prescribe HIV treatment and initiate and manage antiretroviral treatment (ARVs) for people living with HIV. The South African Pharmacy Council (SAPC) stated that the judgment will be instrumental in bridging a significant…
Tag: healthcare policy
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FDA Generic Drug Review Boosts US Drug Manufacturing
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced the launch of a new pilot programme. This programme aims to accelerate the review process for generic drugs. Companies research, develop, and manufacture these drugs entirely within the United States. The initiative aims to incentivise pharmaceutical companies to onshore their operations. It strengthens the domestic supply chain and reduces America’s heavy…
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Pfizer Drug Pricing Deal Sees Stocks Soar
In a move heralded by President Donald Trump as a monumental victory for American consumers, pharmaceutical giant Pfizer has agreed to a deal that promises to slash the prices of some of its drugs. However, the market’s reaction has told a very different story. This reaction raises questions about the actual impact of the agreement on the firm’s bottom line…
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Medical Aid Premiums to Continue Outpacing Inflation
Multiple sources are warning South African consumers to brace for continued high increases in their medical aid premiums. Experts expect costs to keep rising significantly faster than general inflation. The caution comes from Adrian Gore, CEO of Discovery, the country’s largest medical scheme administrator. He suggests that the underlying drivers of medical inflation continue to be a persistent challenge for…
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Western Cape’s NHI Challenge going to the Constitutional Court
The Western Cape government has launched a direct Constitutional Court challenge against the National Health Insurance (NHI) Act. The government argues Parliament failed its duty to ensure adequate public participation. Discover the details of this major legal battle. The Western Cape government has formally lodged a direct application with the Constitutional Court. They seek to have the controversial National Health…
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HFA Proposes NHI+ to Transform South Africa’s Healthcare
The battle over South Africa’s National Health Insurance (NHI) has escalated. The Health Funders Association (HFA) has tabled a compelling alternative model. The HFA unveiled this “NHI+” proposal amidst legal challenges against the controversial NHI Act.. It claims to offer a “faster, more affordable and lower-risk route to achieving universal health coverage.” Therefore, the HFA proposes enhancing NHI with their…
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Private Hospitals Brace for Muted Growth Amid Economic Squeeze
LEADING analysts are cautious about the growth trajectory for South Africa’s private hospital sector. They cite stagnant medical aid membership figures, a declining healthcare workforce, and a persistently challenging macroeconomic environment as key headwinds. This week, Netcare and Life Healthcare, two of the nation’s largest private hospital groups, reported earnings growth for the six months ending in March. However, Netcare…
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The Rise in Obesity: Rethinking Our Response
The global rise in obesity, particularly among children and young people, is a pressing health concern. A recent study reveals that the proportion of young people (aged 5-24) living with obesity more than tripled from 2% in 1990 to over 6% by 2021. South Africa faces a particularly severe challenge. Specifically, 16% of children aged 6-18 are classified as “severely…
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NHI Act Court Challenges and Their Implications
The Board of Healthcare Funders is preparing to escalate its legal fight against the controversial National Health Insurance (NHI) Act. They are launching two new court challenges targeting public participation and constitutionality. The Board of Healthcare Funders (BHF) is preparing to launch two significant new legal challenges against South Africa’s contentious National Health Insurance (NHI) Act. This signals a deepening…
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Antibiotic Resistance Claims Lives of Premature Babies
South Africa is facing a critical public health crisis as antibiotic resistance increasingly undermines life-saving treatments, particularly for vulnerable infants. Experts say that antibiotic-resistant infections are now the leading cause of neonatal mortality in the country. This is especially true among premature babies who are prone to hospital-acquired infections. Antibiotic resistance claims lives needlessly, highlighting the severity of the crisis.…