News
Legal challenge over HIV drug tender
18 Nov 2025
Hetero SA, the SA arm of Indian generics manufacturer Hetero, launched an urgent High Court challenge against the Department of Health after being excluded from the new R15.5bn HIV drug tender, reported Business Day (18 Nov 2025)
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Gauteng Health HOD loses bid to overturn suspension
18 Nov 2025
Judge Benita Whitcher of the Gauteng Labour Court dismissed the application of Gauteng Health head of department Lesiba Malotana to overturn his suspension by Premier Panyaza Lesufi in October, reported The Citizen (18 Nov 2025).
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Ramaphosa urged to declare diabetes a public health emergency
17 Nov 2025
At the recent Diabetes Summit, attended by 350 stakeholders from academia, civil society, Government and industry, President Cyril Ramaphosa was urged to declare diabetes a public health emergency, arguing that the country can no longer afford to treat the escalating crisis as routine. – Health eNews (17 Nov 2025)
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Gauteng patients suffer 7,386 SAEs in one year
14 Nov 2025
Gauteng’s public healthcare system is facing intense scrutiny following the revelation that 7,386 Serious Adverse Events (SAEs) were recorded in its hospitals between 1 April 2024, and 31 March 2025. – Times Live (14 November 2025)
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Mafikeng Hospital a ‘humanitarian disaster’
14 Nov 2025
Mafikeng Provincial Hospital in North West is “collapsing in front of everyone’s eyes’, reported Newsday (14 Nov 2025).
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Scrapping tax credits an 'attack on the middle class'
13 Nov 2025
Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana expressed deep concern over the potential impact the National Department of Health’s (DoH) proposal of scrapping of medical tax credits may have on taxpayers, reported Business Day (13 Nov 2025).
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Sanlam achieves direct access to the healthcare through AfroCentric
13 Nov 2025
AfroCentric, once regarded as a champion of inclusive healthcare and transformation, now operates as a controlled subsidiary, with Sanlam’s controlling 59% stake, combined with 17% held by insiders and 9% by BEE partners, and a free float of less than 8%. – Financial Mail (13 Nov 2025)
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NHI funding plan ‘entirely unaffordable,’ warns HFA
12 Nov 2025
Government’s projected funding target of R457bn by year 14 of the NHI plan is “entirely unaffordable” for SA’s already strained fiscus, according to Thoneshan Naidoo, CEO of the Health Funders Association (HFA). – The Citizen (12 Nov 2025)
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Core arguments for litigation against NHI
12 Nov 2025
Since the National Health Insurance (NHI) Act was signed into law by President Cyril Ramaphosa in May 2024, eight different groups have challenged it in court, with some filing multiple applications. – Spotlight (29 Oct 2025)
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Biovac and MRC launch new SA cholera vaccine trial
12 Nov 2025
The pharmaceutical company Biovac, in partnership with the SA Medical Research Council (SAMRC), started clinical trials for a candidate oral cholera vaccine in a move to reduce Africa’s dependence on imported medicines, reported Business Day (12 Nov 2025)
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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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