The South African government launched the “Close the Gap” campaign in February, aiming to set an ambitious target of placing an additional 1.1 million people living with HIV on antiretroviral therapy (ART) by the end of 2025. With approximately 7.8 million individuals in the country living with HIV and 5.9 million currently receiving treatment, this initiative seeks to increase the…
Tag: healthcare
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BHF calls for disclosure of Ramaphosa’s records on NHI Act
The Board of Healthcare Funders (BHF) announced that it would require President Cyril Ramaphosa to disclose his records to determine whether he adhered to all legal requirements before signing the National Health Insurance (NHI) Act into law. This announcement comes amid escalating opposition to the contentious legislation. The NHI Act, which aims to establish universal health coverage for all South…
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HIV programmes: The impact of funding US cuts
South Africa is on the brink of a severe health crisis, possibly more harmful than the COVID-19 pandemic, due to significant cuts in US funding for HIV programmes. The almost complete withdrawal of Pepfar (President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief) funding threatens to reverse years of progress in managing the HIV epidemic, potentially causing a spike in infections and a…
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SA’s largest pharmacy chains have ambitious expansion plans
South Africa’s two largest pharmacy chains, Clicks and Dis-Chem, are pushing aggressive expansion plans, reflecting market optimism about their future growth. Both companies are enhancing their presence through new store rollouts and a strong focus on loyalty programmes, appealing to the increasing number of value-focused consumers in South Africa. Clicks has proven resilient with a cash-generative business model. Its strategic…
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Clicks expands with affordable generics and 24-hour pharmacies
As healthcare costs soar, Clicks’ customers increasingly choose generic medications because they are affordable. Sales of generics, including Clicks-branded and other pharmaceutical brands, grew by 10% in the year to August 2024. Generics comprise 59% of Clicks’ pharmacy sales by value and 69% by volume. As the demand for budget-friendly health solutions grows, Clicks CEO Bertina Engelbrecht emphasised the group’s…