Mail & Guardian
Mail & Guardian
medicineslatest news & developments
Generic medicine produced locally are the cornerstone of affordable healthcare.
AFFORDABLE HEALTHCARE

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

  • Fentse Maseko
5 min read
Lessons learned: During the Covid-19 pandemic, Global South countries such as South Africa were the last to get vaccines, ventilators and personal protective equipment, with these items delivered to wealthier nations first and surplus vaccines left to expire. Photo: David Harrison
COVID 19 PANDEMIC

Reform legislation to boost the Pandemic Treaty

Business interests and intellectual property laws privilege the wealthy and leave the rest scrabbling for life-saving medicine

  • Rafia Akram
7 min read
The health department will not buy some medicine for cancer and rare diseases as they are not ‘essential’ but there are legal ways to get drugs unavailable here
AFCFTA

Four factors blocking medicines being manufactured in Africa

Setting up a continent-wide medicine regulator could be crucial to getting Africa’s people the treatments and Covid vaccines they need. Here’s why more countries need to put…

  • Francis Aboagye-Nyame
6 min read
The woman, who became a medical student this year after passing an exam at a different university, said she hopes her suit will encourage fairer admissions. (AFP)
DOCTORS

Curing a sick system: Doctors and nurses must speak out for patients and themselves

Medicine shouldn’t be the only thing on the books at our medical schools. Here are some tips for healthcare workers to handle abuse.

  • Staff Reporter
6 min read
AIDS

Life-saving Aids medicine out of stock in Gauteng

Hospitals throughout Gauteng ran out of essential medicines in recent weeks, including a life-saving drug for people with Aids called Amphotericin B.

  • Daneel Knoetze
4 min read
Bitter pill for complementary medicine sector
MEDICINES

Bitter pill for complementary medicine sector

A court battle looms over new regulations for the sector that will require testing and approval of all products.

  • Supplement
4 min read
Business boosters: The law that regulates medicines in South Africa is not enforced for complimentary and alternative medicines.
HIV

Immune boosters a risky letdown

Immune boosters should not be substituted for real medication. Yet the claims on their packaging may seduce and persuade consumers

  • Mia Malan
9 min read
ASPEN PHARMACARE

Beijing shutdown hits SA medicines supply

The Beijing Olympics has had an unexpected side effect, which is being felt locally in the form of serious shortages of generic medicines.

  • Staff Reporter
1 min read