ZAThe Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association of South Africa (Pharmisa), led by chairperson Stavros Nicolaou, has urged the South African government to take immediate action against the illicit medicine trade. Nicolaou highlighted that the illegal market includes involvement by healthcare professionals and poses significant risks to public health and the pharmaceutical industry. He pointed to the proliferation of semaglutide, an active ingredient in the diabetes drug Ozempic, as an example of unlawful compounding practices. The issue encompasses counterfeit drugs, unapproved imports like retatrutide, and unauthorized production of pharmaceuticals. Nicolaou emphasized the need for collaboration between multiple regulatory bodies, including the Health Products Regulatory Authority, Pharmacy Council, and law enforcement agencies, to address the crisis. He also warned that government procurement policies threaten local pharmaceutical manufacturing and national medicine supply security.
Bias read (Center): While the article discusses a politically sensitive issue involving government regulation and pharmaceutical industry concerns, the framing remains balanced. It presents the problem without overtly criticizing specific political actors or parties. The focus is on the systemic challenges and calls to
