Pharmaceuticals Made in SA (Pharmisa) is demanding that the National Department of Health (NDoH) include domestic producers in the next major medicine tenders. – Business Day (23 Feb 2026)
Pharmisa’s demand follows the tender controversy where established local manufacturers were ignored in the awarding of contracts for the ARV tender for HIV medicines.
Meanwhile, Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Health has challenged the NDoH’s claim that it procures at least 70% of ARVs from local companies. The committee says its own assessment puts local manufacturing content closer to 30%.
According to Pharmisa Government can procure from local manufacturers while still achieving cost-effective outcomes if tender design supports both price competitiveness and local production. At present five successful bidders - Innovata, Barrs, Emcure, Aurobindo and Viatris - are importing ARVs from India rather than manufacturing them in SA.