Moneyweb reported on 12 July 2024 that the SA Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) has introduced a new policy requiring broad-based black economic empowerment (B-BBEE) compliance for health product licensing.
“Under the new policy, all applicants seeking licences to manufacture, wholesale, or distribute health products must submit BEE certificates.
“In its first phase, SAHPRA will collect and verify BEE certificates from applicants. In the second phase, the authority will refuse to issue or renew licences for entities that fail to meet specific BEE levels.”
“Lobby group Sakeliga has expressed strong opposition, arguing that the policy will reduce medical products’ quality, affordability, and availability by adding unnecessary regulatory burdens.”
The group plans to challenge the policy in court.”