The plan to revive medicines regulation in South Africa
SAHPRA inherited a backlog of around 16 000 medicine regulatory applications from the MCC. How can this backlog be processed and medicines regulation improved in future?
A healthcare system in crisis: The long road ahead
A Speech by Sibongile Tshabalala, TAC National Chairperson, 11 June 2019, SA AIDS Conference Opening Plenary, Durban.
Why SA’s medicines regulator should consider affordability
Access to medicines is a complex, but critical issue. SECTION27’s Tendai Mafuma and Nomatter Ndebele explore how the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority hinders or could potentially assist access to affordable medicines.
ARV stockouts putting lives at risk, says SSP
Stockouts of several critical medicines have been reported at healthcare facilities in five provinces, according to a statement from the Stop Stockouts Project (SSP).
Regulatory barriers to life-saving and affordable HCV medicines can be overcome
A new class of medicines called direct- acting antivirals have revolutionised the treatment of hepatitis C, but access in South Africa remains limited.
Donor shift threatens adherence clubs in the Free State
A shift in donor funding for HIV has endangered the continued existence of successful and effective antiretroviral adherence clubs in the Free State.
Stockout of Depo-Testosterone is life threatening
Depo-Testosterone, an affordable injectable hormone, has been out of stock in South Africa for more than three months. The shortage has been described as life-threatening. Karin Schimke reports.
System-wide neglect of the transgender population
The recent stock-out of a hormone used in gender-affirming treatment for transgender men has revealed a system-wide neglect of a large sector of the South African population. Karin Schimke reports.
Analysis: How a cutting edge medicine made it to SA’s new ARV tender
New medicines usually take many years or even decades to reach public sector patients in South Africa. One new HIV medicine is an exception.
Dolutegravir- why new does not automatically mean better
While the advantages of the new antiretroviral drug dolutegravir have been extensively reported, the potential disadvantages have received relatively little attention, says Dr Tom Boyles.
Let women decide whether they want to take dolutegravir
An important new antiretroviral medicine will soon become available to people living with HIV in various Sub-Saharan African countries. Unfortunately, many women might be denied access to this new drug due to an inability of regulators and health departments to see potential risks associated with the drug in the proper context.
AIDS2018: Reduction in price of bedaquiline welcome, but is it enough?
This week the price of bedaquiline in the public sector in South Africa was cut in half. What does this mean for the increased uptake of this critically important TB…