By Odwa Bafana Mkentane
The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) has issued a warning about the growing circulation of counterfeit medicines outside the country’s regulated healthcare system. According to the regulator, fake medical products are increasingly being sold through informal outlets such as spaza shops, social media platforms and beauty-related businesses, posing significant risks to public health.
Speaking to VOC FM, SAHPRA communications manager, Rodgers Baloyi says it is difficult to determine the full scale of the illegal trade because many products are sold online and believes the counterfeit medicine market is extensive and forms part of a broader global challenge affecting regulators worldwide.
“On our website, we have a list of all the registered products by SAHPRA. So according to the Medicines act, only certain professionals have been approved to dispense medicine. And the reason why the act says that is because, remember, the healthcare provider needs to assess your condition before they can dispense. So, any other person who’s not covered by the Medicine act and that person is issuing medicine, that is illegal. So, my advice will always be that the members of the public should go to your healthcare providers who are authorized for them to examine what the issues might be so that they are able to get the right medicines for them, “said Baloyi.
Photo: Pixabay
