Gov: Rethink approach to Pharmaceutical Dilemma!

Cheryllyn Dudley MP

The African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) calls on government to rethink its inflexible and hard-nosed approach to the dilemma gripping the Pharmaceutical Industry and to commit to finding a win-win solution.

This follows today’s Cape High Court ruling, which rejected a Pharmaceutical bid for leave to appeal. The Pharmaceutical Society of South Africa, New Clicks and several other applicants, in September, asked the High Court to overturn the government's medicine pricing regulations. At the same time they had appealed directly to the Appeals Court.

“The Cape High Court ruling, while disconcerting for pharmacists, was expected, which is why the Pharmaceutical industry representatives have appealed directly to the Supreme Court of Appeal and are awaiting a decision.”

“In the meantime, more pharmacies have closed their doors and many others are on the brink of shutting down.” said Cheryllyn Dudley MP and ACDP spokesperson on health matters.

“Pharmacy owners are presently funding their businesses out of their own pockets in the hope that their leave to appeal will be granted by the Appeals Court.”

“Pharmacists have reported losses of between R60 000and R250 000 on prescriptions during November. This is not sustainable and solutions must be found or the country’s economy will take a knock, which will be a blow to South Africa in general.”

“While pharmacists will be pushing for leave to make a 36 percent gross profit (which is four percent lower than their original margin) anything above 16 percent will relieve the situation.”