An exploratory assessment of the legislative framework for combating counterfeit medicines in South Africa.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Substandard and Falsified (SF) medical products are a growing global concern. They harm the individual patient, the healthcare system and the economy. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has highlighted contributing factors globally: insufficient national medicine regulation, poor enforcement of existing legislation, weak stakeholder collaboration and the rise of novel viruses, such as the COVID-19. The study aimed to assess the legislative and policy framework and institutional relationships governing pharmaceuticals and anti-counterfeiting strategies.

Methods

The study was explorative and consisted of two phases. The first phase was between 2016 and 2017. It looked at document analysis (annual reports and press releases from 2011 to 2016) from government institu

SUBMITTER: Moshoeshoe RJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8730303 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature