SOUTH AFRICA HIGHLIGHTS NEW DISPENSING RULES

Following the controversial introduction of amendments to South Africa's Medicines and Related Substances Act last year, the government has moved to clarify the legal status of the dispensing professions.

Under the act, nurses holding a dispensing license are now able to dispense drugs in the absence of a doctor or pharmacist. Indeed, a letter of authorisation is often enough to permit dispensing, rather than a full license. In general, provisions to ensure that all health officials dispensing drugs are adequately licensed should help to gradually clarify distinctions between the prescription and OTC sectors, as well as helping to end illegal sales.

The trend is thus likely to lead to a significant expansion in the market share of OTC drugs in South Africa, expected to reach a value of US$1.09bn in 2009. Although the government has failed in several attempts to widen drug distribution to more remote areas of the country, dispensing modernisation is likely to be welcomed by many drugmakers.