GLP-1 drugs - referring to the hormone that regulates blood glucose levels and appetite, used in the global fight against obesity.
The Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association of South Africa (Pharmisa) has called for urgent government intervention to combat the illicit trade in medicines, warning that the illegal market now also involves healthcare practitioners.
The warning was made by Pharmisa chairperson Stavros Nicolaou during a presentation to Parliament's Standing Committee on Trade, Industry and Competition, which is this week receiving stakeholder submissions on South Africa's Industrial Development Strategy.
During his presentation, Nicolaou also warned that South Africa's pharmaceutical manufacturing capacity was being eroded, with contract manufacturing organisations (CMOs) that produce oral contraceptives and penicillin formulations having either shut down or temporarily suspended operations.
He said the sector could lose as many as 3 200 jobs, about a quarter of its manufacturing workforce, following 18 months of sustained volatility.
