08 Apr SAHPRA Responds to claims that hawkers are selling illicit medication in Cape Town
08 April 2022
Embargo: Immediate release
The South Africa Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) remains committed in protecting the public from the supply of counterfeit and substandard medicines. Following the media report by eNCA claiming that some hawkers in Cape Town were illegally selling medicines, SAHPRA worked with law enforcement agencies to investigate this matter.
On 5 April 2022, SAHPRA together with the South African Police Service (SAPS), conducted an investigation and indeed discovered prescription medicines sold on the street. Those medicines should only be sold at pharmacies or authorised health facilities by appropriate health professionals. Thus, all these products were seized. Medicines sold in unauthorised facilities and by unauthorised individuals pose serious health risks as those products may be counterfeit, stolen, contaminated, or otherwise harmful and should not be purchased. Consumers must avoid exposure to such products as they can be dangerous and life-threatening.
Two suspects, a male and female, were arrested and a criminal case was opened with charges of contravening the Medicines and Related Substances Act. The investigation is ongoing to combat the supply of counterfeit and illicit medicines to the South African public. We urge the public to report any such illegal practices to Ms Mokgadi Fafudi on Mokgadi.fafudi@sahpra.org.za
“SAHPRA must ensure that all health products adhere to strict protocols when approved by SAHPRA. All illicit activity will be taken seriously and SAHPRA will work with law enforcement agencies to curb such unethical and illicit activity. ” indicates SAHPRA CEO, Dr Boitumelo Semete-Makokotlela.