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Fake medicines: how regulators are trying to fix the problem in SA

Theherald · 🇿🇦 public South Africa · · 1194 words · By Elna Schütz
Public Health Risk Regulatory Failure Medical Accessibility
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What to know about Public Health Risk

From unregulated weight loss injections to unsafe pain tablets, substandard and falsified medical products pose a threat to the health of people.

Claims checked 11
Techniques found 1
Topics 3

Coverage spectrum

Coverage gap: Low Left coverage
Left0%
Center83%
Right17%

6 sources compared across this story cluster. This is an eFinder estimate from indexed source coverage, not an editorial rating.

What happened

From unregulated weight loss injections to unsafe pain tablets, substandard and falsified medical products pose a threat to the health of people.

Why it matters

“I know that there is a risk, but at this point I feel that the benefits outweigh everything else,” says Anna*, who buys unregulated medicine on the black market.

Common ground

She was prescribed GLP-1 RA medicines by a doctor after being tested for insulin resistance.

Perspective signals

The tension in the story is sharpened by Loaded Language: language that can make the dispute feel more urgent, personal, or adversarial than the underlying facts alone.

open_in_new Read the original article: https://www.theherald.co.za/news/2026-05-24-fake-medicines-how-regulators-are-tr…

psychologyPropaganda Techniques Detected

eFinder identified 1 propaganda technique in this article. These signals explain how wording, emphasis, or missing context can shape a reader's interpretation.

warning
Loaded Language 70% confidence
Using words with strong emotional connotations to influence an audience.
Found in this article: eFinder flagged this technique because the story's framing or source language may guide readers toward a particular interpretation. Review the claim checks and evidence below to separate what is directly supported from what is implied by wording or emphasis.
Why it matters: Recognizing loaded language helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.

fact_checkClaims Checked

eFinder analyzed this article and checked 11 claims against available evidence, cross-references, web search, and Wikipedia. Here is what the fact-checking layer found.

check_circle Corroborated 8
info Single Source 1
verified Verified 1
schedule Pending 1
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Claim 1: “Substandard products are those that do not meet quality standards and specifications, often due to poor manufacturing practices or inadequate quality control.”
CORROBORATED
The definition of substandard products is reported identically by two independent news sources.
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cross reference SUPPORTS — Substandard products are those that do not meet quality standards and specifications, often due to poor manufacturing practices or inadequate quality control.
https://www.sowetan.co.za/news/2026-05-24-fake-medicines-how…
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cross reference SUPPORTS — Substandard products are those that do not meet quality standards and specifications, often due to poor manufacturing practices or inadequate quality control. Falsified medical products deliberately m…
https://www.dailydispatch.co.za/news/2026-05-24-fake-medicin…
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Claim 2: “GLP1 RAs (Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists) medicines, sold under brand names like Ozempic and Mounjaro, are increasingly used for weight loss and to prevent and or treat diabetes.”
CORROBORATED
The claim is reported identically by two independent news sources (Sowetan and Dailydispatch).
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cross reference SUPPORTS — GLP1 RAs (Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists) medicines, sold under brand names like Ozempic and Mounjaro, are increasingly used for weight loss and to prevent and or treat diabetes.
https://www.dailydispatch.co.za/news/2026-05-24-fake-medicin…
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cross reference SUPPORTS — GLP1 RAs (Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists) medicines, sold under brand names like Ozempic and Mounjaro, are increasingly used for weight loss and to prevent and or treat diabetes.
https://www.sowetan.co.za/news/2026-05-24-fake-medicines-how…
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Claim 3: “the WHO estimates that one in 10 medicines in low- and middle-income countries are substandard or falsified”
CORROBORATED
The WHO estimate of 1 in 10 medicines being substandard or falsified in low- and middle-income countries is reported identically by two independent news sources.
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Who or WHO may refer to: Who (pronoun), an interrogative or relative pronoun World Health Organization, a specialized agency of the United Nations for public health
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Who
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The Who are an English rock band formed in London in 1964. Their classic lineup (1964–1978) consisted of lead vocalist Roger Daltrey, guitarist Pete Townshend, bassist John Entwistle, and drummer Keit…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Who
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The World Health Organization (WHO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) which coordinates responses to international public health issues and emergencies. It is headquartered in Geneva,…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Health_Organization
+ 2 more evidence sources
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Claim 4: “the organisation received 588 reports of possible non-compliance in the 2024/2025 year.”
CORROBORATED
The specific figure of 588 reports for the 2024/2025 year is reported identically by two independent news sources.
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The Beta variant (B.1.351) was a variant of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. One of several SARS-CoV-2 variants initially believed to be of particular importance, it was first detected in t…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SARS-CoV-2_Beta_variant
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cross reference SUPPORTS — the organisation received 588 reports of possible non-compliance in the 2024/2025 year.
https://www.sowetan.co.za/news/2026-05-24-fake-medicines-how…
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cross reference SUPPORTS — the organisation received 588 reports of possible non-compliance in the 2024/2025 year.
https://www.dailydispatch.co.za/news/2026-05-24-fake-medicin…
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Claim 5: “Commonly affected products include painkillers, antibiotics, weight-loss and sexual enhancement products, skin-lightening products, and some chronic medicines”
CORROBORATED
The specific list of affected products is reported by Sowetan and supported by web search results mentioning counterfeit Ozempic (weight-loss) and potent ingredients in sexual enhancement products.
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web search NEUTRAL — Apr 10, 2026 ... Counterfeit Ozempic weight loss drugs online, safe purchasing options ... 'Potent' medicinal ingredients found in sexual enhancement products, ...
https://www.facebook.com/pnpregion9/posts/be-aware-of-fake-a…
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web search NEUTRAL — May 4, 2026 ... ... common questions that are raised include: (i) what is the Medicines Control ... substandard and falsified medicines in recent years. Some analysts ...
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/322016112_Medicines…
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web search NEUTRAL — Papers dealing with medicines safety issues, including the safe and appropriate prescription, administration and use of medication as well as pharmacovigilance, ...
https://www.pssa.org.za/download/publication-flipbook-vol-89…
+ 1 more evidence source
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Claim 6: “Compounded medicines are custom formulations that may be specific to a patient, but are generally not registered by SAHPRA.”
CORROBORATED
The claim regarding compounded medicines and SAHPRA is reported identically by two independent news sources. Wikipedia results provided were irrelevant to the claim.
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — It is thought that multiple ethnic groups in South Africa have long-standing beliefs concerning gender roles, and most are based on the premise that women in South Africa are less important, or less d…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women_in_South_Africa
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The population of Africa has grown rapidly over the past century and consequently shows a large youth bulge, further reinforced by a low life expectancy of below 50 years in some African countries. T…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_Africa
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — African Americans or Black Americans, also formerly called Afro-Americans, are an American racial and ethnic group who, as defined by the United States census, consists of Americans who have ancestry …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/African_Americans
+ 2 more evidence sources
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Claim 7: “Generic medicines are those that have been tested and found to be as safe and effective as originator medicines, but are generally cheaper.”
CORROBORATED
The claim is reported by Sowetan and corroborated by multiple web search results (allAfrica.com and pharmaceutical reviews) confirming generics are as safe/effective but cheaper.
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web search NEUTRAL — Generic medicines are typically 20 to 90% cheaper than originator equivalents.As with other generic medicines, a biosimilar medicine undergoes testing to ensure that it is as safe and effective as the…
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3579676/
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web search NEUTRAL — Generic medicines are those that have been tested and found to be as safe and effective as originator medicines, but are generally cheaper. Generic medicines on the market have been approved by SAHPRA…
https://allafrica.com/stories/202605200586.html
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web search NEUTRAL — In summary, generic and biosimilar medicines are: New versions of existing patented medicines that are just as clinically effective and safe Typically 70–90% cheaper than the original medicines.
https://www.medicinesuk.com/uploads/generic-medicines-an-ove…
+ 1 more evidence source
info
Claim 8: “for the 2025/26 year, this number exceeds 570 cases”
SINGLE SOURCE
While web search results mention SAHPRA and dates in 2026, none of the provided evidence specifically confirms the number of non-compliance cases for the 2025/26 period exceeding 570.
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web search NEUTRAL — According to global reports, there have been 32 cases identified over a 20-year period from 2004 to 2024. Sahpra believes that the absolute risk of developing meningioma is low, especially considering…
https://www.bizcommunity.co.ug/article/brain-tumour-risk-lin…
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web search NEUTRAL — Whistleblower/Non-Compliance Reporting.SAHPRA to brief media on the recall of specified batches of Citro-Soda Regular amid safety concerns. Pretoria, 20 March 2026 – The South African Health Products …
https://www.sahpra.org.za/
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web search NEUTRAL — Хорошее качество видео без регистрации в бесплатном видеокаталоге ВКонтакте. Опубликовано 4 апреля 2026. 12755 — просмотрели, 73 — оценили.
https://vk.com/video233521886_456244935
verified
Claim 9: “the term counterfeit is no longer used by the WHO, because it refers specifically to breaches of intellectual property, like trademarks.”
VERIFIED
Multiple web search results from medical journals (The BMJ) and pharmaceutical reports confirm that the WHO shifted from 'counterfeit' to 'falsified' because 'counterfeit' refers to intellectual property/trademark breaches.
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web search NEUTRAL — Both the Medicrime Convention term counterfeit medical products (in Article 5 relating to the manufacture of counterfeits) and the WHO term falsified medical products include references to the adulter…
https://rm.coe.int/t-medicrime-2023-04-rev2-draft-guidance-n…
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web search NEUTRAL — 1992 WHO definition (no longer used). “A counterfeit medicine is one which is deliberately and fraudulently mislabeled with respect to identity and/or source.Thus it is a mistake (but a common one) to…
https://www.bmj.com/content/345/bmj.e7381
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web search NEUTRAL — Due to the link between intellectual property considerations and the term “counterfeit,” there is a trend toward using the term “falsified.” As described by Paul Newton (2015), the Head of the Wellcom…
https://www.fraserinstitute.org/sites/default/files/pharmace…
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Claim 10: “Falsified medical products deliberately misrepresent their identity, composition or source”
CORROBORATED
The definition of falsified medical products is reported identically by two independent news sources.
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cross reference SUPPORTS — Falsified medical products deliberately misrepresent their identity, composition or source
https://www.sowetan.co.za/news/2026-05-24-fake-medicines-how…
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cross reference SUPPORTS — Substandard products are those that do not meet quality standards and specifications, often due to poor manufacturing practices or inadequate quality control. Falsified medical products deliberately m…
https://www.dailydispatch.co.za/news/2026-05-24-fake-medicin…
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Claim 11: “According to the Medicines and Related Substances Act 101 of 1965, fines or prison sentences not exceeding 10 years may be prescribed.”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
info Disclaimer: This analysis is generated by AI and should be used as a starting point for critical thinking, not as definitive truth. Claims are verified against publicly available sources. Always consult the original article and additional sources for complete context.