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…
Tag: South Africa
-
African Cancer Study Reveals New Genetic Links
In a significant step for global health equity, researchers at the Sydney Brenner Institute for Molecular Bioscience (SBIMB) at the University of the Witwatersrand have uncovered two novel genetic variants. These variants increase susceptibility to breast cancer in Black South African women. This groundbreaking discovery, detailed in a study published in the journal Nature Communications, sheds new light on the…
-
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…
-
HFA’s NHI Court Challenge: A Legal Perspective
The contentious National Health Insurance (NHI) Act again faces court action, with HFA’s NHI court challenge marking its sixth legal challenge. This time, HFA’s NHI court challenge is brought by the Health Funders Association (HFA). The HFA represents a significant portion of South Africa’s medical scheme industry, including Discovery Health Medical Scheme. It has formally petitioned the court to declare…
-
NHI Court Appeal Update: Ramaphosa’s Legal Battle
In a pivotal development for South Africa’s ambitious healthcare reform agenda, President Cyril Ramaphosa has secured direct leave to appeal to the Constitutional Court against a High Court ruling concerning his decision to sign the National Health Insurance (NHI) Act into law. This move escalates the legal contestation surrounding the highly anticipated legislation, which aims to establish universal health coverage.…
-
Medical Device Industry on the Brink as Debt Soars to R1.4 Billion
The South African medical device industry is sounding the alarm once again as provincial health departments, the National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS), and the SA Military Health Service collectively owe over R1.4 billion to medical suppliers. This debt, with a significant portion outstanding for more than 30 days, is pushing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to the brink and threatening…
-
Dis-Chem Faces Challenges in a Competitive Market
Retail pharmacy giant Dis-Chem is set to unveil a significantly revised rewards programme in the second half of the current financial year. The move comes as the retailer aims to regain lost market share in key categories. This follows intense promotional activity from competitors and a rapid expansion of rival store footprints. Challenging Retail Landscape and Market Share Battles Dis-Chem…
-
Investing in Hospitals: A Risk Worth Taking
For many investors, the notion of investing capital in the healthcare sector, particularly in hospitals, is counterintuitive. After all, a glance at the 10-year share price performance of South African giants Netcare and Life Healthcare paints a rather grim picture. Both stocks peaked roughly a decade ago, a period characterised by institutional investor pressure for global diversification and a desire…
-
NHI Legal Challenges cost Health Department R9.7 Million in Fees
The Department of Health has incurred a substantial legal bill, spending R9.7 million since October 2023. This was to defend legal challenges against its flagship National Health Insurance (NHI) Act and the existing National Health Act. Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi revealed the figures to MPs yesterday. This was in response to a question posed by Democratic Alliance (DA) MP Michéle…
-
Liberty Insurance Claims: R12 Billion Paid Out
Life insurer Liberty announced that it paid out a substantial R12 billion in death, disability, and income protection claims to over 120,000 beneficiaries throughout 2024. This impressive figure reflects the volume of Liberty insurance claims processed last year. The statistics shed light on evolving claiming patterns. There is a concerning underinsurance gap among women and a notable increase in claims…