In collaboration with the National Department of Health (DOH) and the World Health Organisation (WHO), the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) is piloting a national action plan to combat substandard and falsified medical products.

The WHO defines falsified products as misrepresenting their identity, while substandard products fail quality standards.

Addressing the conference underway at the Protea Hotel in Rhodesfield, east of Johannesburg, Minister of Health Dr Aaron Motsoaledi says South Africa is a leader in this effort with the National Action Plan emphasising political commitment, resources and sustained action.

“Through this bold initiative, South Africa is positioned among the first countries globally to operationalise a comprehensive strategy against substandard and falsified medical products. The National Action Plan aims to strengthen prevention, detection and response mechanisms through a coordinated multi-sectoral action as guided by the National Action Plan draft handbook developed for this purpose by the WHO. This milestone demonstrates South Africa’s leadership and commitment to safeguarding access to quality, safe and effective medical products.”

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