Pharmaceuticals
latest news & developments
Black market weight-loss drug sellers are moving fast. SA’s regulators are struggling to keep up
As the demand for weight-loss injections surges, compounded copycats and unlicensed drugs like retatrutide are flooding South Africa's market. Regulators are racing to introduce…
Tender Invitation: GMP Readiness and Capacity Strengthening for SRH Commodity Manufacturers in SADC
GIZ, on behalf of BMZ and the EU, invites tenders from qualified consulting firms to support WHO Good Manufacturing Practice compliance and prequalification readiness for…
Crackdown on illegal weight loss drugs
Pharmaceutical industry leaders and South African regulators have demanded urgent crackdowns, seizures, and arrests to curb the dangerous open sale of unregistered weight loss…
South Africa’s supplement crackdown risks R22bn health industry
South Africa's push to regulate natural health and wellness products under a strict pharmaceutical regime threatens an R22 billion industry, placing thousands of jobs, small…
Would homegrown LEN cost more? Why SA should still make the HIV prevention jab
South Africa aims to manufacture the revolutionary six-monthly HIV prevention injection lenacapavir locally. Experts weigh the need for rapid, affordable access against building…
The first generic weight loss drug hit SA in August — with many expected to follow. Will it be enough to kill the black market?
As patents expire, generic versions of blockbuster weight-loss and diabetes drugs like Ozempic arrive in South Africa. But will price drops be enough to end the dangerous black…
#Aids2026: Daily pill. Monthly pill. Six-monthly jab. Why choice matters
For the first time, Merck has granted generic manufacturers, including three African companies, permission to produce an investigational monthly HIV prevention pill, alimatravir,…
As it rages, the semaglutide debate exposes public trust deficit in healthcare
The contentious debate around semaglutide in South African healthcare extends beyond its use for obesity and type 2 diabetes, exposing deep-seated issues of access,…
Regulators tighten noose on recalled GLP-1 medicines
South Africa's health regulators have warned doctors, pharmacists, and other healthcare professionals that they face disciplinary action for continuing to prescribe or dispense…
Editorial: Warnings won't stop illegal meds
South Africa's health regulators have warned doctors and pharmacists about prescribing recalled GLP-1 medicines, but this highlights a deeper issue: a booming market for illegal…
Illegal weight loss drug floods SA
An investigation uncovers a rapidly growing, highly lucrative shadow market in South Africa for unapproved weight-loss drugs like Retatrutide, sold openly online and in gyms…
Fake medicines: South Africa’s silent epidemic
There is an urgent need to prevent the proliferation of counterfeit and substandard pharmaceuticals
A prescription for Gauteng’s health: Generics, state pharma and the power of local
Enabling the use of generics, supporting local businesses and setting up a state pharmaceutical company would boost healthcare
US aid cuts: Africa must make its own medicine
Donald Trump’s funding freeze underlines that South Africa needs to prioritise the development of its pharmaceutical manufacturing sector
Year-on-year growth in retail sales slows down in August compared with July
On a month-on-month basis retail trade sales decreased for the fourth consecutive month showing that consumers are still cash-strapped