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: SAHPRA
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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,…
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Illegal Weight-Loss Medicines Face Regulatory Crackdown
Illegal weight-loss medicines are facing increased scrutiny as pharmaceutical manufacturers demand stronger law enforcement and regulators prepare tighter rules governing compounded obesity treatments. The Pharmaceutical Task Group (PTG) has called for prosecutions against individuals and businesses selling unregistered medicines. Meanwhile, the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) and South African Pharmacy Council are developing updated compounding standards. The interventions…
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Buy Now Pay Later Comes to Weight-Loss Drugs in South Africa
Buy now, pay later (BNPL) credit can now be used to pay for weight-loss medicines. This comes as a new doctor-led programme tries to make sought-after GLP-1 drugs more affordable. Obiflex offers virtual consultations with doctors who can prescribe the medicines. Furthermore, it lets patients spread their monthly treatment cost over instalments. How the buy now, pay later offer works…
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Illicit Trade in Medicines and Cosmetics Tops R6.6bn a Year
Counterfeit cosmetics, unregistered skincare and grey-market medicines are flowing into South Africa in growing volumes. This raises safety concerns and exposes gaps in import controls. Illicit trade across the cosmetics, personal care and pharmaceutical sectors now exceeds R6.6bn a year. This is according to a new report from the Consumer Goods Council of South Africa and Econometrix. The report pins…
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GLP-1 Generics Could Reshape Local Obesity Market
A new wave of generic GLP-1 medicines could transform South Africa’s fast-growing obesity treatment market. Sun Pharma recently launched the country’s first generic semaglutide injection for type 2 diabetes through its Ranbaxy subsidiary. The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) is considering another 13 semaglutide applications. The opportunity is substantial. Morgan Stanley expects the global GLP-1 market to reach…
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Pharmaceutical Localisation Talks Target Investment And Supply
Senior government officials and top leaders of the pharmaceutical industry have agreed to pursue closer cooperation. South Africa seeks to boost local medicine production and enhance supply security. On 18 August, the two parties met in Pretoria to talk about the immediate pressures facing the sector. They discussed the longer-term measures needed to support pharmaceutical manufacturing. Professor Nicholas Crisp, who…
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Netcare AI Deterioration Algorithm Submitted To SAHPRA
Netcare has submitted its AI-powered patient deterioration algorithm to the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) for regulatory approval. The submission follows the completion of a clinical study conducted in Netcare’s intensive care and high-care units. The technology identifies early warning signs of serious clinical deterioration, allowing healthcare teams more time to intervene before a patient’s condition becomes critical.…
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Medicine Safety Under Scrutiny after iDexis Case
Recent court proceedings involving Pretoria-based compounding pharmacy iDexis have placed semaglutide medicine safety in the spotlight. The dispute has sparked debate about access to medicines, intellectual property rights and the regulatory powers of the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA). It has also drawn attention to rising demand for medicines containing semaglutide. This is the active ingredient in registered…
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Extensior South Africa Launch Targets Lower-Cost Access
Novo Nordisk is preparing to launch a lower-cost, authorised version of Ozempic in South Africa. The Extensior South Africa launch aims to improve access to regulated semaglutide treatment for people with type 2 diabetes. Extensior is scheduled to become available from 27 July. Novo Nordisk has partnered with pharmaceutical company Acino to distribute the medicine nationwide. The treatment contains semaglutide,…
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Illicit Medicines In South Africa Spark Sahpra Crackdown
The availability of illicit medicines in South Africa is increasing, according to the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority. Sahpra regulates medicines and medical devices in the country. It said reports from consumers and seizures by inspectors suggest the problem is widespread. Criminal syndicates are targeting widely used or in-demand medicines. These include weight-loss drugs, antibiotics, painkillers and medicines used…
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Sun Pharma’s Generic Semaglutide Gets SA Approval
Sun Pharmaceutical Industries has received regulatory approval to manufacture and sell a generic semaglutide injection in South Africa. The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority, or SAHPRA, approved the medicine for adults with inadequately controlled type 2 diabetes. Semaglutide is the active ingredient in Novo Nordisk’s diabetes medicine Ozempic. It is also used in the company’s Wegovy weight-loss treatment. The…