The quest for rapid weight loss in South Africa has birthed a dangerous shadow economy. For many, acquiring potent GLP-1 agonists no longer requires a clinical consultation. Instead, it involves a few WhatsApp messages and a payment to a stranger. This burgeoning trade in illegal weight loss injections highlights a desperate intersection of public health needs and economic barriers. As…
Tag: Regulation
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Hetero Price Collusion Probe and Its Implications
The Competition Commission has confirmed it is actively investigating the South African subsidiary of the Indian generic drug manufacturer Hetero. They are looking into potential price collusion. This significant probe centres on the procurement of crucial HIV medication. Specifically, the combination pill tenofovir, lamivudine, and dolutegravir (TLD) is under review. Most HIV patients in the country take this three-in-one regimen.…
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Unregulated Glucose Monitors Pose Risk to Diabetics
While continuous glucose monitors are increasingly popular as wellness gadgets for tracking lifestyle and diet, their lack of formal regulatory oversight means many devices may not be safe or reliable for medical use. The rise of unregulated glucose monitors makes the matter more complicated. Medical specialists and patient advocates are raising urgent concerns over the booming and unregulated market for…
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Counterfeit Medicine Crisis in South Africa’s Public Health System
South Africa is grappling with a quiet, yet deadly crisis: the alarming proliferation of counterfeit and substandard medicines, known as the counterfeit medicine crisis. While the nation faces ongoing health-care challenges like rising drug prices, medicine shortages, and a strained public health system, the influx of fake drugs presents a far more insidious threat. These aren’t just ineffective placebos; they…
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Medical schemes facing ‘slow death spiral’ amid regulatory failures
South Africa’s medical scheme industry is at a critical juncture, with escalating regulatory failures forcing schemes to design options that include gaps in cover. This trend increasingly requires members to purchase supplementary insurance, such as primary healthcare plans or gap cover. Consequently, this pushes consumers to pay for cover based more closely on their health risks. This was a key…