R3 million lost to fake drugs: Motsoaledi warns of growing public health danger
Minister of Health Dr Aaron Motsoaledi has exposed a growing threat in the pharmaceutical sector, reporting that SAHPRA recorded 507 suspected counterfeit and illicit medicine cases in 2024/25, of which 110 were confirmed.
The Minister also revealed that approximately R3 million was spent on the destruction of these products, highlighting the significant financial and public health risks posed by the illicit trade in medicines.
This follows a question posed by EFF Member of Parliament (MP) Thandiswa Marawu, who asked the Minister to address the rapid rise in the sale of counterfeit medicines across the Republic.
Marawu asked about the types of medicines most commonly counterfeited, the extent of the problem in terms of reported cases, seizures, and the economic impact, as well as key indicators that consumers should look for to identify illicit or counterfeit products.
In a written parliamentary reply, Motsoaledi outlined the types of medicines most commonly targeted by counterfeiters, including pain management drugs, weight loss products, skin lightening or bleaching treatments, medical devices like condoms, and medications for impotence or sexual enhancement.
These illicit products, he explained, pose significant risks to public health, not only by being ineffective but also potentially harmful to those who consume them.
In his response, the Minister also provided insight into the scale of the problem. He stated that, out of the 507 reported cases of suspected illicit products, 110 were confirmed as either counterfeit or illicit.
He further mentioned that SAHPRA, in collaboration with the South African Police Service and other law enforcement agencies, was involved in 81 joint operations that led to the detection of illicit medical products.
The financial impact of the illicit medicine trade is also noteworthy.
In addition to the cases investigated, Motsoaledi shared the financial burden placed on the state to address this crisis. He noted that approximately “R3 million has been spent on the destruction of these products in the past financial year.”
He also pointed out the wider economic impact, which includes losses for legitimate producers and public health risks, explaining that “there are losses that the legitimate producer incurs and the public from using a product that is ineffective/harmful.”
To combat the growing problem, Motsoaledi shared a number of key indicators that consumers should be aware of when purchasing medicines, whether from physical stores or online.
Motsoaledi emphasised that “no Schedule 1 medicine or higher may be sold at unregistered facilities,” and that such products “may only be sold at registered pharmacies, hospitals, authorised clinics, or by authorised dispensing practitioners.”
He added that beauty shops and general retail outlets are not permitted to sell these types of medicines, and any sale outside of these settings should be viewed with suspicion.
Motsoaledi also warned consumers about purchasing medicines online, stating that “online sales of medicines should be treated with caution until the source is verified,” and stressed that “prescription medicines may not be sold online.”
He further clarified that the advertising of prescription medicines on social media or other public platforms is prohibited, urging the public to report such instances to SAHPRA through its whistleblower portal.
When it comes to identifying counterfeit products, Motsoaledi advised consumers to examine labels and packaging carefully.
He said that registered medicines must display the “Schedule (S), SAHPRA registration number, batch number, expiry date, and the active pharmaceutical ingredient with its strength.”
He also noted that a “package insert must be provided in English and may include other official South African languages.”
Motsoaledi also mentioned the importance of scrutinizing packaging for signs of poor quality or tampering, advising consumers to look out for “spelling or grammatical errors, poor print quality, inconsistent logos, broken seals, incorrect colours, missing package inserts, and unclear or missing batch or expiry details.”
He added that “unrealistic claims and pricing” should be a red flag for buyers, with products making exaggerated claims such as “miracle cure,” “detox,” or “anti-ageing,” or those offered at “unusually low prices,” often signaling counterfeit products.
He urged consumers to report any suspected illicit or counterfeit medicines through SAHPRA’s official channels
”Consumers are encouraged to report any suspected illicit or counterfeit medicines to SAHPRA through its official reporting channels.”
hope.ntanzi@iol.co.za
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