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South Africa: 400 People in SA With Highly Drug-Resistant TB to Get New Three-Drug Regimen
spotlight, 27 January 2021
Treatment of drug-resistant forms of tuberculosis (DR-TB) in South Africa has been transformed over the last decade. Most people with DR-TB no longer have to take daily injections… Read more »
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South Africa: Sahpra Decision On Ivermectin Shifts Heavy Responsibility to Doctors
spotlight, 29 January 2021
The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) this week announced that doctors will be able to apply for access to the experimental COVID-19 treatment ivermectin… Read more »
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South Africa: Covid-19 - 'Truth Offensive' Needed to Counter Vaccine Misinformation, Says Expert
spotlight, 29 January 2021
A painting shows a sick man inside a hand sanitiser bottle, surrounded with human skulls. The painting is the work of Xolani Sivunda, an artist based in Mfuleni, a township near… Read more »
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South Africa: Important Questions and Answers On the Covid Vaccines
spotlight, 26 January 2021
COVID-19 vaccines are coming to South Africa. Here are questions and answers about the vaccine. Read more »
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South Africa: Ivermectin and Covid-19 - SA Drug Regulator Allows Controlled, Compassionate Access
Daily Maverick, 27 January 2021
South Africa's medicines regulator finds middle ground to authorise 'compassionate use' of ivermectin, whilst still stating that there is not yet sufficient evidence for full… Read more »
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South Africa: Little to Lose - a Doctor Argues We Must Start Using Ivermectin Now
Daily Maverick, 26 January 2021
There is so little downside to using this drug, and huge probable benefit. If it doesn't work, we've lost little, other than hope. If it does, we've saved a life and, in some… Read more »
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South Africa: Ivermectin and Covid-19 - Why It's Promising but Why We Need to Be Cautious
GroundUp, 14 January 2021
Medicines are only approved for use by the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority when there is sufficient evidence that their benefits outweigh their risks. Read more »
Experimental Covid-19 Treatment Puts Responsibility on Doctors
The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) has announced that doctors will be able to apply for access to the experimental COVID-19 treatment ivermectin in terms of section 21 of the Medicines Act. Section 21 is a mechanism that allows for access to medicines that SAHPRA has not yet approved. In allowing section 21 applications as part of a controlled compassionate access programme, SAHPRA has essentially shifted the responsibility for deciding whether the anti-parasitic ivermectin is safe and effective enough to be used in the treatment of COVID-19 to doctors. This places an enormous responsibility on doctors, since doctors who do decide to prescribe the drug will be responsible for any potential side effects.
InFocus
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While "vaccine nationalism" might serve short-term political goals, it could cost up to U.S.$9.2 trillion - much of the loss in wealthy countries, World Health Organization ... Read more »
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President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced that Deputy President David Mabuza will oversee the procurement and rollout of the Covid-19 vaccine. Ramaphosa said: "Today, we established ... Read more »
