The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) and the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) recently signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for five years that will enable collaboration and co-operation between the two bodies.
The agreement cements information-sharing regarding all healthcare and health products from practitioners; cross-referral of emerging and urgent risks and complaints relating to professional transgressions; the conducting of joint inspections and investigations; the creation of awareness campaigns, social media interactions, media statements and comments; aligning, where necessary, the rules, standards and regulations to clarify and avoid inconsistencies in legislation, and participation in joint initiatives, like SAHPRA’s Codeine Care Initiative
“The signing of this MOA is a precursor to wider collaboration in ensuring the public is safe from unethical and unscrupulous so-called ‘professionals’. We hope to stem the tide of substandard and falsified health products and to deter such individuals or companies from preying on an unsuspecting public, with no qualms about their safety and well-being,” said Dr Boitumelo Semete-Makokotlela, CEO of SAHPRA.
HPCSA Registrar Dr Magome Masike said the agreement formalises a relationship “that is critical in ensuring public protection”.
“We view this as a strong step forward in fostering a safer, more accountable health system,” Masike added.
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