News
HIV injection to be rolled out in June
14 May 2026
Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi announced that Gilead’s twice-yearly HIV prevention jab, lenacapavir will be rolled out on 5 June 2026. – Business Day (14 May 2026)
“Motsoaledi said the country could ‘eliminate HIV/Aids as a public health threat by 2030’ but stressed that success would depend on collective effort. “
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Judges not objective, says Motsoaledi
14 May 2026
Following Acting Justice Narandran Kollapen’s decision on 6 May to receive judgment in both the BHF and Western Province cases on procedural grounds, Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi accused judges of not being objective.
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Biovac retains contract to supply Hexaxim
14 May 2026
Biovac has retained a R5.3bn contract to supply the State with Hexaxim, the six-in-one shot for infants in the national childhood immunisation programme. – Business Day (14 May 2026)
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Dis-Chem and Clicks fill the gap
13 May 2026
On 13 May Times Live wrote in its editorial column that “a significant retail healthcare expansion is quietly transforming how citizens access daily medical support”.
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Dis-Chem and Clicks fill the gap
13 May 2026
On 13 May Times Live wrote in its editorial column that “a significant retail healthcare expansion is quietly transforming how citizens access daily medical support”.
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GEMS cuts tariff increase to 7.5%
08 May 2026
The Government Employees Medical Scheme (GEMS), one of SA’s biggest restricted medical schemes, (890,000 principal members and around 2.4m beneficiaries), announced a cut in 2026 tariffs lowering it to 7.5% effective 1 July. – Times Live (7 May 2026).
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Research shows that AI diagnostic tools outperform doctors
08 May 2026
The latest SA research into AI in healthcare, led byProf Bruce Bassett of AI at Wits University, revealed that artificial intelligence (AI) now surpasses human doctors in hospital ward diagnoses. – Business Day (7 May 2026)
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Dis-Chem to expand into healthcare delivery
08 May 2026
Dis-Chem Pharmacies announced that it is expanding into integrated healthcare delivery through its new Health Hub mode, reported Business Day (8 May 2026)
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UPDATE on BHF in Constitutional Court regardig NHI Act
08 May 2026
Focus on NHI funding and transparency in ConCourt
5 May marked the first day of a 3-day hearing in the Constitutional Court (ConCourt) during which the Board of Healthcare Funders (BHF) is requesting the Court to set the NHI Act aside on procedural grounds, arguing that the public participation process was defective. Business Day (6 May 2026)
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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)
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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)
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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.
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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)
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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.
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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.”
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