The high cost of having too few pharmacists in SA

Posted in: Access to Medicines, Focus, Healthcare system, Healthcare Workers, InFocus, Latest, Spotlight

It’s acknowledged in key policy documents, well known at the coalface and much ventilated in the media: South Africa’s public healthcare system has too few healthcare workers, especially medical doctors, certain specialists, and theatre nurses. Less recognised however is the shortage of public sector pharmacists. Chris Bateman lifts the lid on this until now largely hidden problem – and its impact.

The high cost of having too few pharmacists in SA

In-depth: Codeine regulation – a tussle between pain relief and addiction

Posted in: Access to Medicines, Healthcare system, Latest

Whether a pharmacist suggests it for treating headaches or whether a doctor prescribes it for managing post-surgical pain, chances are good that at some point you’ve taken a pain pill containing the opioid codeine. But since codeine can be addictive and withdrawal symptoms severe, regulation of the drug in South Africa has turned into a headache. Elri Voigt takes an in-depth look at the complexities of codeine regulation.