The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) has issued a warning about service providers using falsified licences to gain public trust and conduct business.
The warning comes amid the booming popularity of cannabis-infused products in South Africa, from beverages and snacks to baked goods. However, the lack of proper regulation, safety testing and transparent labelling has sparked concern.
SAHPRA CEO Dr Boitumelo Semete-Makokotlela told Yoliswa Sobuwa from Health-e News that the rapid spread of cannabis dispensaries in shopping malls, many of which are openly displaying copies of so-called SAHPRA licences, was concerning.
“These documents were originally issued for the cultivation and export of cannabis flower and do not authorise the operation of retail cannabis dispensaries,” she said.
“No individual or company is permitted to claim SAHPRA authorisation using forged documentation. We take this matter extremely seriously and will work closely with law enforcement agencies to ensure offenders are held accountable.”
Juice lands woman in hospital
A 47-year-old Johannesburg woman was recently admitted to hospital after dinking a cannabis-infused juice she bought from a pharmacy. She told Health-e News she found the juice in an aisle containing other fruit juices, and it had no distinct labelling.
“It looked like a normal juice, and barely 10 minutes after drinking it, I felt strange. I was dizzy, feeling nauseous, had a headache and lost consciousness. Fortunately, I was with my husband, who took me straight to the hospital.”
She was kept under observation for several hours and asked to return the next day for her test results, when she was shocked to learn the juice was cannabis-infused.
“I was disappointed in the pharmacy – which I had previously held in high regard – for being so grossly negligent,” she said.
When she contacted the pharmacy, it blamed the supplier.
Dangers
Associate Professor Neelaveni Padayachee, from the Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology at Wits University, said symptoms of consuming cannabis-infused drinks or snacks can include hallucinations, euphoria, paranoia, confusion, increased heart rate, and dry mouth.
These products can also cause nausea, vomiting, heightened sensory perception, and impaired motor function.
“Adults with underlying mental health conditions are particularly at risk, even a single exposure can worsen their condition,” she warned.
The public is urged to verify the authenticity of any SAHPRA-issued licence by contacting the authority directly through the official communication channels or checking on the SAHPRA website, under “Databases and Registers”.
SAHPRA is in the process of sourcing a system that uses barcoding as a means of authenticating these certificates, and is to embark on a public outreach campaign, raising awareness on establishing the authenticity of licences.
Anyone suspecting a provider of using a fraudulent SAHPRA licence should report them to SAHPRA at 0800 204 307 or online at this address.
See more from MedicalBrief archives:
Fired SAHPRA staffer linked to illegal medical cannabis licences
SAHPRA grants first cannabis cultivation licences
SAHPRA policy seeks B-BBEE compliance for healthcare licence approvals