Neelam Rahim | neelam@radioislam.co.za
3-minute read
17 July 2025 | 09:00 CAT

📷 Cancer cells under microscopic view. SAHPRA continues rigorous testing to ensure anti-cancer treatments in South Africa meet international safety standards. Photo credit: chokniti via Adobe Stock

As concern mounts over substandard cancer treatments reported in several African countries, South Africa’s medical watchdog, the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA), has assured the public that locally registered cancer medications meet rigorous safety and quality standards.

In an interview with Radio Islam International, SAHPRA CEO Dr. Boitumelo Semete-Makokotlela explained the extensive processes in place to safeguard public health. “Before any product is available in South Africa, we need to have that product registered,” she said. “And we ensure that the company manufacturing it is licensed with SAHPRA. That way, if anything goes wrong, we know who to go to.”

The authority doesn’t stop at registration. “We conduct post-market surveillance,” Dr. Semete-Makokotlela confirmed. “We collect samples from pharmacies and test them to ensure the product on shelves matches the quality of what was submitted to us.”

This level of scrutiny comes as a direct response to a recent medical study that exposed alarming lapses in cancer drug quality in other African nations. “When we saw the study, we immediately reviewed all registered products containing the affected active ingredients. We found no evidence of substandard or falsified products in South Africa,” she stated.

While South Africa appears insulated from the current crisis, SAHPRA acknowledges broader continental risks. “We are developing mechanisms to curb fake medications at a continental level. These substandard drugs pose a serious public health threat,” Dr. Semete-Makokotlela warned.

Key to SAHPRA’s ongoing vigilance is its renewal process. “Every five years, manufacturers must submit updated data, and we reassess their registration,” she noted. Additionally, any changes in production, whether to the ingredient composition or the manufacturing site, must be reported to SAHPRA for re-evaluation.

Public participation is also crucial. Dr. Semete-Makokotlela urged South Africans to report any suspicious medication through the authority’s whistleblowing and reporting platforms. “If you notice anything off damaged packaging, unexpected side effects contact your pharmacy and inform SAHPRA immediately.”

While much of the continent wrestles with medication quality control, SAHPRA’s robust systems and international-standard oversight offer South Africans vital reassurance in the fight against cancer.

Listen to the full interview on The Daily Round-Up with Moulana Junaid Kharsany and Dr. Boitumelo Semete-Makokotlela.