“Recent court proceedings involving Pretoria-based compounding pharmacy iDexis have sparked widespread discussion about access to medicines, intellectual property rights and the regulatory authority of the SA Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA).” – Spotlight (22 July 2026)
This applies particularly for semaglutide-containing treatments used for diabetes and obesity.
The debate underscores the importance of pharmacovigilance; the ongoing monitoring of medicines after they reach patients to detect and prevent adverse effects that may not emerge during clinical trials.
While registered medicines are manufactured under strict quality standards and supported by formal safety monitoring systems, compounded medicines are prepared for individual patients and may have greater variability in quality, stability and long-term safety.
“Compounding remains essential for some patients, but robust monitoring and traceability are critical to ensure compounded medicines meet appropriate safety standards while preserving access to necessary treatments.”