Using fake medicine often makes conditions worse, says Nkomo-Ralehoko

Gauteng Health MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko said the use of fake medicine often makes patients’ conditions worse, resulting in added pressure to the healthcare system.

Nkomo-Ralehoko was speaking in Kempton Park at the launch of the national action plan to combat the use and distribution of fake medicine on Tuesday.

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Nkomo-Ralehoko said every day, people’s lives were impacted by medicine that does not serve its purpose or heal them.

The World Health Organization (WHO) said one in ten medical products in low to middle-income countries, like South Africa, was substandard or falsified.

Nkomo-Ralehoko added that they had discovered that even some chronic medicines, like that of people living with HIV or diabetes, had been falsified, risking their entire livelihoods.

"This puts a heavy burden on our hospitals, on our clinics, where our staff work tirelessly to care for patients who arrive in a critical condition in the hospitals and clinics."

She said it has become a priority for the department to deal with this problem.