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#InsideTheBox with Dr Andy Gray | Public participation in medicines selection and regulation – lacking?

Posted in: #InsideTheBox, Access to Medicines, Focus, Healthcare system, InFocus, Latest, Special Investigations, Spotlight

In several countries, the public is given an opportunity to share their views with regulators before new medicines are registered or to engage with those choosing essential medicines. In South Africa, however, opportunities for such public participation remains limited. In his latest #InsideTheBox column, Dr Andy Gray takes a look at how public participation is handled elsewhere and how it could be improved here.

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Medical devices aren’t regulated in SA, but that is set to change

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

Unlike with medicines, and with a few exceptions, South Africa’s regulator does not assess whether diagnostic tests and other medical devices on the market are safe and work as they are supposed to. The regulator has however started down a road that should eventually lead to the regulation of all medical devices in the country. Catherine Tomlinson unpacks the details.

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#InsideTheBox with Dr Andy Gray | How could more efficient use of reliance improve access to quality, affordable medicines?

Posted in: #InsideTheBox, Access to Medicines, Focus, Healthcare system, InFocus, Latest, Special Investigations, Spotlight

Rather than trying to do everything from scratch, medicines regulators from different countries are increasingly sharing the load between them by ‘relying’ on each other’s work. In his latest #InsideTheBox column, Dr Andy Gray explains how such ‘reliance mechanisms’ can help regulators make decisions more quickly and efficiently, and digs into the details of how South Africa can make the most of these mechanisms.

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#InsideTheBox with Dr Andy Gray | Should pharmaceutical advertising in SA be better regulated, and why?

Posted in: #InsideTheBox, Access to Medicines, Focus, Healthcare system, InFocus, Latest, Special Investigations, Spotlight

For over 20 years, the law has required that the Minister of Health issues regulations to govern the advertising of medicines in South Africa, but as yet no such regulations are in place. In his latest #InsideTheBox column, Dr Andy Gray considers what this means for the marketing of medicines in the country.

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#InsideTheBox with Dr Andy Gray | Are clinical trial participants in South Africa protected?

Posted in: #InsideTheBox, Access to Medicines, Focus, Healthcare system, InFocus, Latest, Special Investigations, Spotlight

Clinical trial participants appear to be well protected in South Africa, particularly as the country’s guidelines recognise the risks of research with international collaborators. The sudden end of US-funded clinical trials, however, is exposing some limitations of ethics codes and guidelines, argues Dr Andy Gray.

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