President Cyril Ramaphosa has ordered a pharmaceutical task force to address pressures on SA’s medicine manufacturers. This follows industry complaints that public procurement favours cheaper imports over domestic production.
The task force’s priorities include private-sector medicine pricing, preferential procurement of locally produced medicines, SAHPRA regulatory issues and improved use of data for policymaking. – Business Day (14 October 2026)
According to Pharmaceuticals Made in SA (PHARMISA) - representing companies including Aspen Pharmacare, Adcock Ingram and Biovac - domestic manufacturers have lost market share in major tenders over the past decade. Below-inflation private medicine price adjustments have added financial pressure, contributing to more than 2,500 job losses over 18 months.
The task force aims to balance affordable medicines with local manufacturing investment, reliable supplies, job creation and improved patient access.
The Pharmaceutical Task Group (PTG) chair Stavros Nicolaou leading the industry delegation on the pharmaceutical task force, said manufacturers wanted preferential procurement measures that support domestic production, secure supplies and improve patient access.