Archive

UC loses patent battle over prostate cancer drug in SA

The University of California’s (UC) patent for Xtandi, a prostate cancer drug, was revoked in South Africa, allowing generic alternatives to enter the market.

Competition Commission probes insulin price fixing

The Competition Commission is investigating insulin manufacturers Novo Nordisk and Sanofi Aventis, raising concerns about accessibility to diabetes care.

Trump’s USAID cuts threaten SA’s HIV/AIDS progress

The Trump administration’s abrupt termination of USAID grants has jeopardised SA’s fight against HIV/AIDS, threatening health services and thousands of jobs.

Lenacapavir injection: The new frontier in HIV prevention

Despite its promise, access to Lenacapavir, a revolutionary HIV prevention injection which stops 100% of new HIV infections in women and girls, is restricted.

A decade of transformation in obesity treatment

ObesityWeek 2024 attracted unprecedented attention from Wall Street, highlighting obesity treatment’s booming pharmaceutical industry.

Experts warn against using PIC funds for NHI and hospitals

Experts warn that a proposal to use Public Investment Corporation (PIC) funds for NHI is misguided as these funds belong to government employees/pensioners.

A resilient workforce shows strength in workplace stress

The GIBS October Health Workplace Well-being report reveals the state of employee mental health and the impact of workplace environments.

Global wellness industry surges, outpacing pharmaceuticals

In 2023, the global wellness industry reached a remarkable $6.32 trillion valuation, surpassing the combined size of the sports and pharmaceutical industries. This figure, reported by the Global Wellness Institute (GWI), marks a 25% growth since 2019, driven by a surge in demand for health-focused products and services post-pandemic. The GWI defines wellness as “the […]

PIC’s possible role in public financing health Infrastructure

The Department of Health and National Treasury are exploring using the R2.3-trillion savings pool, managed by the PIC, to fund health infrastructure upgrades.

Lack of budget adjustments for health sector raises concerns

South Africa’s health budget 2024 under scrutiny after Minister’s statement, sparking concerns among activists and unions.

Medicines seized amidst surge in demand for Ozempic copies

New Zealand customs has seized semaglutide-based drugs made in Bangladesh, underscoring a rise in global demand for cheaper alternatives to Ozempic.

56,000 South Africans succumbed to tuberculosis in 2023

In 2023, tuberculosis was the top infectious disease killer worldwide, with 1.25 million deaths. SA’s TB incidence is declining, but fatalities remain high.