News
Breakthrough in pancreatic cancer research
08 Jun 2026
A major clinical trial has revealed that daraxonrasib, a new targeted oral therapy, could significantly improve outcomes for patients with advanced pancreatic cancer.
[READ MORE]
President urged to intervene over access to lenacapavir
08 Jun 2026
Civil society organisations, including the Treatment Action Campaign are urging Pres Cyril Ramaphosa to intervene with pharmaceutical company Gilead Sciences over access to lenacapavir, a twice-yearly HIV prevention injection being launched in SA.
[READ MORE]
Novo Nordisk takes iDexis to court
08 Jun 2026
On 2 June Business Day reported that Danish pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk plans to request the High Court to prevent compounding pharmacy iDexis from manufacturing, advertising and distributing products containing semaglutide while regulatory investigations continue.
[READ MORE]
Medical schemes under pressure as claims costs rise
08 Jun 2026
A new Alexander Forbes Health report warns that SA’s medical scheme industry is under increasing financial strain as healthcare costs, claims utilisation and the burden of chronic disease continue to rise.
[READ MORE]
Adcock Ingram referred to Competition Tribunal
08 Jun 2026
The Competition Commission (CC) referred Adcock Ingram Critical Care (AICC) to the Competition Tribunal, alleging that it charged excessive prices for essential kidney dialysis products between July 2019 and June 2024.
[READ MORE]
‘Pharmaceutical procurement practices are weakening localisation efforts’
08 Jun 2026
Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau said Government is prioritising pharmaceutical localisation to strengthen industrial capacity and reduce dependence on imports. Vaccine producer Biovac is central to this strategy, with plans to expand production for local and export markets. – Business Times (31 May 2026)
[READ MORE]
SA has fourth highest suicide rate in Africa
02 Jun 2026
SA has recorded the fourth-highest suicide rate in Africa, highlighting the worsening mental health burden facing the country, according to the latest data from the World Health Organisation’s Global Health Observatory. – Times Live (1 June 2026)
[READ MORE]
CoN decision will not weaken NHI scheme, says Motsoaledi
02 Jun 2026
The Constitutional Court’s recent decision to strike down the certificate-of-need CoN provisions would not weaken the National Health Insurance (NHI) scheme, Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi told Chris Baron in an interview (Sunday Times 31 May 2026)
[READ MORE]
‘Pharmaceutical procurement practices are weakening localisation efforts’
02 Jun 2026
Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau said Government is prioritising pharmaceutical localisation to strengthen industrial capacity and reduce dependence on imports. Vaccine producer Biovac is central to this strategy, with plans to expand production for local and export markets. – Business Times (31 May 2026)
[READ MORE]
Removal of medical tax credits on the cards
17 Oct 2025
“With significant legal and logistical uncertainty still surrounding the NHI's implementation, making precipitous changes to the tax system could have unforeseen and damaging consequences for millions of South Africans.” - Business Day(17 October 2025)
[READ MORE]
Pharma faces billions in costs due to new tariffs
29 Jul 2025
“The pharmaceutical industry is bracing for a significant financial blow, with analysts forecasting costs of between $13bn and $19bn following the revelation that a new transatlantic trade deal will subject branded medicines to a hefty 15% tariff.” – Reuters (28 July 2025)
[READ MORE]
Life Healthcare backs collaboration to tackle healthcare crisis
27 Nov 2024
Life Healthcare CEO Peter Wharton-Hood has backed a call for greater collaboration between the government and private healthcare providers to address South Africa’s pressing healthcare challenges. This follows a proposal by Netcare CEO Richard Friedland, who suggested adding healthcare as the fourth pillar in an existing government-business partnership focused on revitalising the economy.
[READ MORE]
Discovery Life claims back to pre-Covid levels
19 Apr 2024
“Discovery Life distributed R10.3bn to its clients, a decrease from the R11bn paid the previous year,” reported Business Day (19April 2024)
[READ MORE]
Hundreds of websites found selling fake weight-loss drugs
16 Apr 2024
Reuters reported on 15 April that the cybersecurity company BrandShield has shut down over 250 websites selling counterfeit versions of popular drugs used for weight loss and diabetes treatment within the GLP-1 class.
[READ MORE]
RAF bid to appeal judgment on claim requirements
06 Dec 2023
On 5 December 2023 the Pretoria High Court rejected the Road Accident Fund’s (RAF) request to reconsider a previous verdict from November, reported Business Day.
“The ruling mandated eliminating the stringent new requirements for filing claims outlined in a 2021 board notice.”
[READ MORE]