South Africa’s medicines regulator has raised concerns over the growing presence of counterfeit medicines being sold outside the country’s regulated healthcare system, warning that consumers are increasingly encountering unverified products in informal retail outlets, beauty businesses and online marketplaces.
The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) said investigations have identified counterfeit medicines being distributed through spaza shops, social media platforms, beauty salons, IV bars, gyms and other unregulated channels.
Speaking on 702/CapeTalk, SAHPRA Regulatory Compliance Manager Mokgadi Fafudi said the regulator is becoming increasingly concerned about the trend, although it has not yet reached widespread levels.
Illegal Supply Chains Under Investigation
Fafudi said ongoing investigations have identified several routes through which counterfeit medicines are entering South Africa.
According to her, illegal importation and smuggling remain key sources of counterfeit products. In addition, some medicines are diverted from legitimate supply chains before being sold through informal markets.
She explained that medicines may be stolen during transportation or unlawfully removed from healthcare facilities by individuals who then resell them outside the regulated pharmaceutical system.
While authorities continue to monitor these activities, she said the discovery of medicines circulating through unregulated markets presents growing risks for public health.
Weight-Loss Injections Among Biggest Concerns
SAHPRA said counterfeit lifestyle medicines have become increasingly common, with injectable weight-loss products emerging as one of the regulator’s primary concerns.
Fafudi noted that injectable peptides promoted for weight management are frequently advertised through social media and sold at beauty salons, wellness centres, IV bars and gyms, where consumers may not have access to qualified healthcare professionals.
She stressed that weight management should be treated as a medical condition requiring professional assessment and ongoing clinical supervision.
According to SAHPRA, products sold outside regulated healthcare facilities have not been evaluated for quality, safety or effectiveness. Consumers may also struggle to identify what substances they are actually receiving, increasing the risk of harmful side effects or other complications.
Fafudi warned that tracing the origin of counterfeit products becomes particularly difficult when manufacturing sources are unknown, making investigations and patient protection significantly more challenging.
The regulator is encouraging the public to seek medicines only through licensed healthcare professionals and authorised medical facilities while remaining cautious of products promoted through informal channels or online platforms.
Source: Adapted from 702/CapeTalk interviews with SAHPRA.